Eleazar sacks ‘killer’ cop

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar yesterday dismissed a police officer who shot dead a 52-year-old woman in Quezon City last month.

Eleazar signed the dismissal order of M/Sgt. Hensie Zinampan, who was found guilty of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer over the murder of Lilibeth Luceno on May 31.

The drunk Zinampan was seen in a viral video grabbing Luceno by the hair and shooting the victim in the neck despite her repeated pleas.

“Zinampan’s dismissal from the police service shows that we do not tolerate abusive police officers and wrongdoings in the organization,” Eleazar said.

Zinampan has been stripped of benefits accorded to a police officer.

He is also barred from holding any public office.

Eleazar said he based his order on the resolution of the PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS), which recommended Zinampan’s dismissal.

Even if the evidence against Zinampan is strong, Eleazar said they made sure that the summary dismissal proceedings followed the existing procedures and policies to prevent technicalities
that the former policeman might use to get reinstated in the PNP.

“This is the reason why it took almost a month before this case was resolved. This is actually one of the fastest,” Eleazar said.

Eleazar said Zinampan’s dismissal should serve as a warning to other police officers to remain true to their profession.

IAS inspector general Alfegar Triambulo said apart from the video clip of the shooting, three witnesses have surfaced against Zinampan.