Cop faces rap for QC hall employee's murder

MANILA, Philippines - A Quezon City policeman is now facing murder charges before the prosecutor's office for allegedly gunning down a city hall employee, police said on Wednesday.

 

Quezon City Police District Director Joel Pagdilao said Police Officer 1 Joe-nel Bayubay, 35, assigned with the Kamuning Police Station-10 has been indicted for the murder of Michael Martinez, 61, an employee at the Business Permit and Licensing Office.

 

Police also filed murder raps against six other unidentified companions of Bayubay.

 

Bayubay's immediate superior, Police Superintendent Limuel Obon, said Bayubay was on an emergency leave from February 25 to March 3 when the shooting incident happened last February 28. 

 

After his leave of absence, Bayubay no longer reported to duty and went absent without official leave.

 

Investigation showed that around 1:20 a.m. last February 28,  Martinez was driving his car along Judge Jimenez St., Brgy. Kristong Hari, Quezon City when he engaged Bayubay in a traffic altercation who was also then driving his Tamaraw FX along with six others.

 

Bayubay reportedly pulled out a handgun and shot Martinez twice, hitting the victim on his left chin. The suspects fled toward Cubao after the incident.

 

A bystander and a motorist who witnessed the shooting took note of the plate number of the suspects’ vehicle which was later traced to have been registered under Bayubay's name.