Razon: Fire WPD inspector who shot subordinate dead

Western Police District (WPD) director chief Superintendent Avelino Razon Jr. has ordered the dismissal from the service of one of his officers for the March 16 killing of a subordinate during an altercation in a reported fit of drunkenness in front of a karaoke bar in Malate, Manila.

In a memorandum sent to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Superintendent Edgardo Aglipay last Thursday, Razon said there was "probable cause" to recommend the dismissal of Inspector Reynaldo Chico, the deputy chief of the WPD Trackers Section, for grave misconduct.

Chico shot his own subordinate in front of Lotus Flower karaoke bar in Malate, Manila following a heated argument that resulted in a scuffle. The two were separated and SPO1 Celeste Agustin was brought out by one of his two other colleagues in the bar but witnesses said Chico also went out later and shot the victim.

Chico did not reportedly intend to kill Agustin. Chico has since been charged with homicide despite protests from the Agustin family that it should be a non-bailable case of murder.

The recommendation, however, will still be subject to an administrative trial which the NCRPO is expected to order. The NCRPO exercises dismissal powers over lawmen in Metro Manila.

In view of this, Razon also recommended that Chico be preventively suspended for 90 days during the trial and be assigned to the WPD's virtual dumping ground for members facing charges - the District Headquarters Support Unit.

Sources at the WPD Inspectorate Division which recommended the dismissal of Chico said the suspension order will take effect only if the NCRPO orders a summary dismissal proceeding.

The WPD inspectorate division conducted a parallel administrative probe of Chico following the incident and recommended Chico's dismissal last March 22. It was reportedly approved by Razon the same day. Chico has reportedly opted to remain silent.