A policeman from the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) was arrested for illegally firing his weapon in Cagayan last Tuesday afternoon.
“It is disheartening for me to see a member of my ranks breach internal discipline and commit a crime,” said CIDG director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III.
Torre was referring to Patrolman Jerald Sampaga, who is assigned to the Logistics Section of CIDG’s Administrative and Record Management Division (ARMD).
Sampaga, 29, who was on official leave, went to Sto. Niño town in Cagayan to visit his girlfriend and had a drinking spree with her relatives.
While drinking, Sampaga drew his 9mm pistol and fired a single shot in the air.
Responding personnel from the Sto. Niño police station arrested Sampaga for violation of Article 155 (Alarms and Scandals), as amended by Republic Act 11926 (Indiscriminate Discharge of Firearm).
The CIDG said Sampaga was relieved from his post and reassigned to the Personnel Holding and Accounting Branch of the ARMD, pending further investigation into the incident.
“Let this serve as a warning to all CIDG members, there will be zero tolerance to all of you who will commit even the slightest infraction of ordinance, to violations of laws and commission of crimes,” said Torre.
Torre said the CIDG is relentless against all forms of crimes and remains “steadfast in upholding and implementing the laws against all persons and criminals, without fear or favor, even if you are a CIDG member.”
