Belmonte to Quezon City cops: Shun scalawags’ ways

MANILA, Philippines — In the wake of recent issues that hounded the police force, Mayor Joy Belmonte urged lawmen assigned with the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) to shun old ways being practiced by some police scalawags.

In her speech during the 84th founding anniversary of the QCPD at Camp Karingal yesterday, Belmonte reminded police officers of their oath, which is to serve and protect the people.

Belmonte said what the city needs is a police force that can adapt to modern times.

“A modern QC police officer does not believe in outdated practices, does not believe they are above the people and the authority they wield is to take advantage of or terrorize people,” she said in Filipino.

Belmonte said police officers should shun corruption and refrain from using their authority to commit abuses against ordinary people.

Police officers should also not allow themselves to be used by those with power in committing abuses.

Over the weekend, the former head of the QCPD’s criminal investigation and detection unit (CIDU), Lt. Col. Mark Julio Abong, was arrested after he went berserk and fired his handgun in front of a restobar in Barangay Laging Handa.

A police officer was also thrust into the limelight after he stopped traffic along Commonwealth Avenue supposedly to give way to a VIP.

Gun license expired

Meanwhile, the firearm used by Abong during the incident has an expired license, police said yesterday.

Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, QCPD director, said they found out from the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) that the firearm license of Abong’s Glock 40 pistol expired
in 2019.

With the information they have gathered, Maranan said they are seeking the revocation of Abong’s license to own and possess firearm (LTOPF) at the FEO.

If his LTOPF is revoked, Maranan said Abong has to surrender the other firearms registered in his name.

“We will go to his house and have him surrender (the firearms),” he told reporters in an interview.

Two bullet casings recovered at the scene were found to have come from Abong’s firearm, according to the results of a ballistics examination.

Abong is detained at the QCPD-CIDU on several criminal complaints filed against him before
the city prosecutor’s office.