Boljoon cop faces admin, criminal raps

CEBU, Philippines - Aside from the criminal case filed against Boljoon intelligence officer SPO2 Carlito Amarillo who was arrested for violating the Comelec gun ban in Argao last Sunday, an administrative case will also be filed against him by the regional headquarters.

The regional headquarters is also evaluating if Insp. Rico Emperwa, Boljoon police chief, will be included in the administrative case, being the immediate superior of Amarillo, for command of responsibility.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Director Marcelo Garbo directed the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) to check the profile of Amarillo if he is involved in illegal activities in Argao after negative reports reached his office.

Amarillo, a resident of Barangay Binlod, was in civilian clothes when arrested by Argao police for bringing with him his .45 service pistol while buying a goat at the Argao Nature’s Park. Also confiscated from him were two magazines and 10 bullets.

Based on the incident report, Garbo said Amarillo rolled up his shirt, exposing the pistol in his waist. This prompted Supt. Clifford Gairanod, chief of the Regional Public Information Office (RPIO)-7, to call Argao police.

Garbo, however, said that they will consider an apology from Amarillo but they will still have to follow certain procedures including the filing of charges.

In a separate interview, Gairanod said the incident should serve as a fair warning to all police officers, civilians and to the military that no one is above the law.

“The police have no fear and favor even if the person involved is a police officer and you should not inform the public that you are carrying a firearm,” Gairanod said.

For his part, Emperwa claimed that he never failed to remind his personnel about the Comelec gun ban but Amarillo possibly overlooked the Comelec directive.

“Rest assured kana nga pulis (Amarillo) knows his liabilities and responsibilities sa iyang trabaho for being in the service for 25 years… Nasipyat lang gyud siya atong higayuna,” he said.

The criminal complaint was already filed before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against Amarillo. He was arrested on March 30 after he failed to show a Comelec gun ban exemption.

PO3 Rodrigo Teo of Argao Police Station told The FREEMAN the inquest prosecutor ordered the release of Amarillo from their custody after he was able to show necessary documents.

Amarillo, a resident of Barangay Binlod, Argao earlier, said it was not his intention to show off his gun. He said his shirt was blown by the wind so his service firearm was exposed. — (FREEMAN)