Cop axed over shooting

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) has ordered the dismissal of a police officer who shot a man during a scuffle while the election gun ban was in effect last February.

In a 10-page decision, the PLEB found Sr. M/Sgt. Chester Garchitorena guilty of conduct unbecoming of a police officer and grave misconduct.

PLEB executive officer Rafael Calinisan said Garchitorena, who was assigned with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group at Camp Crame, received a penalty of dismissal from service with forfeiture of benefits and disqualification for re-employment in any government service, respectively.

The case stemmed from a scuffle between the groups of the complainant and the policeman in Barangay Greater Lagro on Feb. 18.

During the clarificatory hearing, it was established that Garchitorena shot the victim in the leg while his other friends beat up another man, who sustained a skull fracture.

“What’s more bothersome in this incident is that the (complainant) was the one who was attacked and shot, but he was the one who was arrested without a warrant, detained and charged, while the policeman went scot-free prior to this case,” Calinisan said.

“The PLEB is open to the possibility of investigating this case further,” he added.

Mayor Joy Belmonte lauded PLEB’s efforts to address complaints against police officers.

In addition to disciplining erring cops, Belmonte said the city also plans to award police officers who deserve commendation.

(An earlier version of this story had the title “Quezon City cop axed over shooting”, the dismissed police officer was not a member of the Quezon City Police District, but of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Camp Crame.)