Drunk cop kills customer in bar shooting

MANILA, Philippines — A policeman was reportedly drunk when he started shooting in a bar in Taguig City with an M-16 rifle, killing a customer before dawn Sunday.

M/Sgt. Robert Ron Fernandez, 31, detailed with the Special Action Force’s personnel accounting and holding unit, was taken into police custody.

Fernandez allegedly figured in an argument with Earuin Arcila Rosema, 28, in the Quesha bar on Bagong Calzada street at around 4:35 a.m., according to a report from city police chief Col. Alexander Santos.

Fernandez suddenly drew a pistol, which Rosema and another customer tried to grab from him, the report added.

This infuriated Fernandez, who slapped the other customer and shouted that he would be back with another gun. When he returned to the bar with an M-16 rifle, he shot Rosema in the neck.

Rosema was rushed to the Cruz-Rabe Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Police officers seized a rifle, five bullets and his PNP-issued 9mm pistol from Fernandez.

PAF man caught

Meanwhile, police officers seized a Philippine Air Force personnel’s firearm after he was caught drinking in a bar in Parañaque City before dawn on Sunday.

Airman 2nd Class Ruben Colendres Toribio, 25, and assigned at the 520th Air Base Wing of the Villamor Air Base, is in police custody. 

Police officers conducting Oplan Bakal, a police operation against unlicensed firearms, in Terminal Flight KTV along Quirino Avenue at around 1 a.m., city police chief Col. Rogelio Rosales said in a report.

They spotted Toribio drinking alcohol and carrying a sling bag containing a 9mm Glock pistol and two magazines with 32 bullets.