Navotas cop sacked for habitual drinking

A member of the Navotas police force was dismissed from service after he was found to be a habitual drinker and for quarrelling with his superiors, police authorities reported yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Raul Gonzales, Northern Police District (NPD) director, ordered the dismissal of P02 Reynaldo Sigua for grave misconduct.

Sigua was dismissed after being "considered an undesirable member and a disgrace to the PNP."

Records showed that at around 5 p.m. last April 10, Sigua engaged Inspector Estelito Penlano Jr., his superior and PCP4 commander, in a heated argument, which eventually led to a scuffle.

Sigua allegedly tried to snatch Peniano’s service firearm.

Peniano ordered him to be disarmed by PO1s Ronnie Esplada and Bryant Fallera.

A medical certificate from the Navotas Emergency and Lying-in clinic showed that Sigua was positive for alcohol.

Subsequent hearings showed that on several occasions, the offender was found to be either drunk or was under the influence of liquor while on duty or a few hours before reporting for duty. Habitual drinking of alcohol was cited as an aggravating circumstance.

"He committed a misconduct not only for being a drunkard but also for quarreling with his superior officer," Gonzales said in his decision. — Jerry Botial