Cops to draw guns on suspect drivers

MANILA, Philippines — Following the death of a police officer of the Highway Patrol Group in a shootout in Cavite City, HPG personnel were instructed yesterday to have their firearms on hand and draw them on suspicious-looking motorists.

Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, HPG director, issued the directive after one of their police officers, Chief M/Sgt. Julius Arcalas, died during a clash with an armed passenger of a Nissan Terra on Nov. 6.

The armed passenger, later identified as Methusael Cebrian, was also killed.

Tagum said police officers should not take chances and compromise their safety, especially if the vehicle they are inspecting does not have a license plate and conduction sticker.

“Kapag tinaas ang bintana, bunutin mo na ang baril mo at atras ka kaaagad (When the car’s window is rolled up, draw your gun and back away immediately),” he said in a speech during the send-off ceremony for HPG personnel at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Cebrian’s driver, Reymundo Zuñiga, told police Cebrian ordered him to roll up the window just before he stepped out of the car and shot at Arcalas.

The HPG yesterday fielded 200 police officers along EDSA and adjacent major roads as part of a campaign by the Philippine National Police (PNP) against criminals.

Tagum instructed police officers to ensure that their firearms are always loaded and clean so they are always protected in the event of a shootout.

Tagum said Arcalas should be their last casualty and that nobody should suffer the same fate.

The HPG will come up with a video training program for its personnel on the procedures for the inspection of vehicles.