QC cop, 2 others arrested for running amok, firing shots

A policeman and his two companions were arrested after running amok along a street in Barangay Claro, Quezon City on Thursday afternoon.

In a "Balitanghali" report by Katrina Son on Friday, the cop identified as Police Officer 1 Marcos Laggui of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), his brother Julian and companion Daniel Guillermo were seen on CCTV circling the neighborhood at around 3 p.m. looking for a resident with whom they had a scuffle with.

"Tumingin sa 'kin. Tumingin din ako. Tapos naglakad pa rin sila. Napa-smile lang ako. Nasa isip-isip ko, ano bang problema nito? Eh lasing nga. Tapos maya-maya, may nagmura tapos bumunot ng baril," Raymond Medina said.

While looking for Medina, Marcos Laggui reportedly challenged residents to a brawl.

"Nakita ko po, may nagwawala na lalaki. Ayun pala, pulis po pala 'yon. Noong napadaan po siya sa tapat po namin, nag-aaya po siya sa mga bata. Sabi niya 'Ano, matapang ka?' sa mga kabataan po sa amin, sabi ko, kuya wag niyo naman pong idamay 'yung bata," Angelo Velasco, one of the residents, said.

When several residents surrounded Marcos Langgui in the middle of the street, the policeman fired shots into the air. Later, he insisted that he fired his gun in self defense.

"Oo, depensa lang 'yon. Di ko naman pinutok na itatama ko sa tao at kapag itama ko, sa lapit nila, eh di tatamaan sila nun," he said.

Julian, who was seen trying to pull his brother away after the shots, claimed the residents started the fight.

"Kasi sinigawan kami eh kaya ayun. Tapos eh di syempre, 'yung kuya ko po, pulis, ay nag-init po 'yung ulo po niya pero nilayo ko po doon. Pero nakita ko po, on the spot, may dalawang tao na bumunot ng baril kanina," he said.

As the investigation continues, QCPD Director Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar said in quest will be done on Marcos, who is facing a charge for indiscriminate firing.

"Itong ginawa niyang indiscriminate firing na ito, naghanda nagprepare ang ating QCPD ng kaso for alarm and scandal against this policeman and he will be inquested," Eleazar said.

Marcos's station commander said he should have acted responsibly as a policeman carrying a firearm.

"Wala pa namang akong nakikitang mali doon sa pagdadala ng baril kasi sa kanya naman talaga naka-issue 'yon. Kaya lang, kung may dala kang baril, maging responsable ka sa pagbibitbit ng baril. Unang una, alagad ka ng batas. Not unless, kung ganoon nga, nakumpromiso ka," said Station 9 Police Commander Supt. Alex de Jesus Alberto. — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News