Cop defies chief, runs off with car

CEBU, Philippines - A police officer is now subject of a manhunt operation for misbehavior and for direct assault after he pointed a gun at his chief early morning yesterday inside the Dumanjug Police Station.

PO2 Socrates Avila was on duty when he reportedly left his post and took the patrol car without the permission from his immediate superior, Sr. Insp. Cesar Misola.

Avila reportedly took one of the detainees and went to a wake in Barangay Ilaya. But he accidentally crashed the patrol car into a sign board along the road.

Avila reportedly arrived at the police station apparently under the influence of liquor around 10 p.m. Wednesday. He was designated jail guard and desk officer but reportedly went out and gone to a wake.

Avila took a certain Sosimo Pace, a detainee, with him.

Around 1 a.m. Thursday, Misola received a phone call from a concerned citizen informing him that Avila figured in a vehicular accident in Barangay Ilaya. This prompted Misola to direct his men to look for Avila.

“Naabutan pa nang mga pulis ko na andu’n sa may patay kaya pinabalik nila sa police station,” said Misola in a phone interview. He said Avila even ignored him when he arrived at the police station.

Misola tried to confront Avila but the latter suddenly raised his voice which irritated the police chief.

“Every time I questioned him taas ang boses niya na parang hinahamon ako at this point na hinihingi ko ang firearm na kasi delikado na,” Misola told The FREEMAN.

Misola said that he was heading to his office when Avila drew his issued .38 revolver and aimed at him.

Misola run for safety and took his issued 9mm cal. pistol.

The incident scared other policemen who scampered to different directions.

Misola said he was hiding inside his office when Avila ran outside the police station. Police chased Avila but they failed to arrest him.

Misola said he will pursue appropriate charges against Avila next week. (FREEMAN)