KALIBO, Aklan – Two police officers in the province of Aklan were relieved of their duties pending investigation by the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO).
A Police Corporal of the Kalibo Municipal Police Station-Investigation Unit was caught drinking liquor while on Ati-Atihan Festival duty.
An intelligence officer with the rank of Police Chief Master Sergeant assigned to the Malay Municipal Police Station is also being investigated for possible neglect of duty.
Police Regional Office director Brigadier General Sydney Villaflor announced the relief of police officers during his visit to Kalibo, Aklan.
Villafor has asked the Police Internal Affairs Services, an independent body of the Philippine National Police, to initiate administrative procedures against the two policemen.
The region’s top cop said he would not tolerate the wrongdoing of uniformed personnel and would be investigated if they were found remiss in their work while on or off duty.
For his part, Malay acting chief of police Lieutenant Colonel Mar Joseph Ravelo said the police officer was allegedly having a drinking session in Barangay Manocmanoc with his informant.
“Sinabi niya nag-uusap sila, habang nag-iinuman at noong patungo siya sa comfort room, ipinatong niya ang kanyang service firearm sa mesa na tinatabunan ng damit at bull cap,” the chief of police said.
Unknowingly, a minor thought it was a toy, allegedly took the government-issued firearm from the table and pulled the trigger.
“Wala namang nasaktan o nabaril. Tayo ay personal na nag-imbestiga sa nangyari. Natapos natin ang imbestigasyon at nagrekomenda tayo ng administrative charges sa ating pulis,” Ravelo added./PN
