QC cop Abong indicted over restobar incident —QCPD

Prosecutors have indicted Police Lieutenant Colonel Mark Julio Abong for allegedly assaulting a waiter and firing a gun outside a restobar in Quezon City, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said on Thursday.

In a statement, the QCPD said the City Prosecutor's Office on Wednesday released a resolution saying that it has found sufficient evidence to hold Abong for trial for several criminal charges.

Abong is facing charges including illegal discharge of firearms, violation of election gun ban, maltreatment, and direct assault upon an agent of person in authority.

The total amount of bail set for these offenses reached around P177,000.

“We will not tolerate any misconduct or abuse of power, and we will take decisive action to address any violations of the law,” QCPD chief Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan said.

“Our priority is to serve and protect the community and continue to execute lawful orders to ensure the maintenance of peace and order in the city,” he added.

Fajardo said that the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) has revoked the License To Own and Possess Firearm (LTOPF) and registration of Abong for his three firearms.

However, the licenses for these firearms had already expired in 2016 and 2018, according to Fajardo.

Abong was arrested on Sunday after allegedly assaulting a waiter and firing a gun twice outside a bar along Scout Rallos Street in Barangay Laging Handa.

The police official was reportedly drunk and had an argument with a fellow customer.

Tension also occurred at the QCPD-Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit office in Camp Karingal after Abong tried to leave without the required clearance from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Following this incident, Abong previous cases were dug up including his hit-and-run and drunk driving offenses on August 6, 2022, which killed tricycle driver Joel Larosa and injured a passenger.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Thursday it has dismissed Abong from service in connection with his 2022 case.

“The DILG today issued a Decision denying the Appeal filed before us by Police Lieutenant Colonel Mark Julio U. Abong,” DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos said in a statement.

In line with this, Abalos said he instructed PNP chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. to  issue an implementing order for the dismissal of Abong.

“He can no longer delay his dismissal from service as recommended by the Quezon City People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) Fourth Division in its Decision dated March 21, 2023,” the DILG chief said.

“Ubos na ang baraha niya at hindi na niya mapapaikot pa ang batas (His cards have run out and he cannot and can no longer outsmart the law)!”

Following the PLEB decision, Abong made his first appeal to the National Police Commission - Regional Appellate Board (RAB), which was denied. He then filed another appeal with the DILG.

Abalos said the department affirmed the decision of the RAB finding Abong guilty of three administrative charges classified as grave offense, which warrants a penalty of dismissal from service in the PNP. —Joviland Rita/KBK/RSJ, GMA Integrated News