PRESIDENT Duterte on Tuesday night vowed to send to prison a police officer who shot dead a 52-year-old grandma during an argument in Quezon City last week.
The President, in an interview with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, reiterated that he is ready to defend any policeman or soldier who commits a crime such as killing while in the line of duty, but he will not tolerate those who intentionally commit crimes especially while drunk.
“They have to pay,” Duterte said.
Police M/Sgt. Hensie Zinampan shot dead Lilybeth Valdez in Sitio Ruby, Barangay Greater Fairview, Quezon City last May 31. The police officer claimed he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the shooting.
“Itong policeman, nalasing ka, torpe ka, tapos pumapatay ka pa ng tao. Ah kung nandiyan ako, papatayin kita. Wala kang silbi (This policeman, you got drunk, then you will kill others. If I were there, I would kill you. You are worthless.),” he added.
The President said he used to beat up errant police officers when he was still Davao City mayor.
He said he has a “short fuse” for errant cops who act tough and are quick to use their guns during petty quarrels.
“Iyan makulong talaga iyan. Makulong talaga iyan, sigurado. I will see to it na makulong (He will go to jail. He will really go to jail. That’s for sure. I will see to it that he goes to jail),” Duterte said.
PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar has said that Zinampan will be dismissed from service and face criminal and administrative charges.
