CRIMINAL charges were filed against two junior police officers of the Mindoro Oriental Provincial police office for allegedly shooting dead the regional head of an anti-crime watchdog last Sunday night.
Charges of murder and direct assault were filed before a local court in Oriental Mindoro against Senior Insp. Magdaleno Pimentel Jr. and Insp. Markson Almeranez for the death of Zenaida Luz, 51, regional chairman of Citizens Crime Watch.
Senior Supt Christopher Birung, provincial police chief, said Pimentel was assigned to the province’s First Maneuver Platoon-Police Public Safety Company while Almeranez is the chief of police of Socorro town.
Records showed that Pimentel was a graduate of PNP Academy Class 2009 while Almeranez is a PNPA graduate of Class 2013. They were both identified by a witness as the one who shot Luz.
The incident occurred after barangay chairman Dionido Quitain sought police assistance on reports of trouble occurring in the vicinity.
A police mobile car from the Gloria MPS immediately responded and upon reaching the intersection of Tambong Centrao and Strong Republic Highway, an unidentified bystander called the attention of the responding team and reported that a shooting incident occurred.
The operatives saw the victim lying on the ground and witnesses pinpointed the two men riding an Enduro-type motorcycle, wearing pants, black jacket and T-shirt as the persons who reportedly shot the victim.
The operatives immediately chased the two men but they ignored the pursuers and even fired upon them. So the pursuers fired back and brought the two wounded cops to the Pinamalayan Community Hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos said the swift action of the local police clearly shows the PNP does not tolerate wrongdoings even from their colleagues.
“This is in line with the directive of PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa to cleanse out the ranks of misfits and rogue cops. The two suspects will have their day in court for the acts they committed,” Carlos said.
Birung also said the Oriental Mindoro PNP remains committed to serve and protect the people, “we are loyal to the Constitution, loyal to the rule of law, loyal to the people we serve and to the PNP institution.”