Caloocan Cops Face Dismissal Over Loose Firearms

The Internal Affairs Service of the Philippine National Police (IAS-PNP) has initiated summary dismissal proceedings against the two policemen arrested in Caloocan on Thursday for allegedly selling loose firearms. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said a thorough background check on S/Sgt. Nino Paguirigan and M/Sgt. Arjay Terrado is also being conducted to determine if they are involved in other illegal activities. “Our internal cleansing program will continue without fear or favor, and we will hold every erring police officer fully accountable. In this particular case, we are checking if these arrested personnel are part of a larger criminal group,” Nartatez said in a statement. The policemen, who are assigned with the Caloocan police station, were arrested in a sting in Barangay 5 at 5:30 a.m., after a civilian posed as a buyer of loose firearms. One of the officers was in uniform during the arrest. The suspects were caught with a .38-caliber handgun, a 9mm handgun and a 12-gauge shotgun. They were charged with violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition. IAS inspector general Brigido Dulay said Paguirigan and Terrado face dismissal for moonlighting as gunrunners, a grave offense based on PNP regulations. “When a police officer sells his service firearm, he does not merely violate a regulation. He arms the very threat he swore to protect the public from,” Dulay said in a statement. Nartatez vowed to dismiss the police officers from service for tainting the reputation of the police force. “There is no place in the PNP for personnel who abuse their authority or violate the law. If you choose to engage in criminal acts, you will be investigated, arrested and prosecuted,” he said. Source: Philstar Nation