DAVAO CITY – The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) on Monday filed administrative and criminal charges against a police officer, who went amok and cocked his gun on his neighbors in South Villa in Maa, on Friday last week.
Chief Insp. Ronald Lao, Talomo Police precinct commander, on Monday said a case of grave threat was filed against PO3 Nelson de Vera Galban, 43, male, married a resident of the said place. The complainants were Mark Balad Nacional, 23, male, single; Joshua Levi Balad Nacional, male, single, student, and Rachel Nacional Famanas, female, married.
Lao said the complainants alleged that Galban shouted at them when they were outside their house, and without provocation reportedly went unruly, drew a firearm and cocked it many times towards the neighbors.
The complainants alleged that Galban would harass them whenever he was drunk.
Lao said the responding police recovered from the suspect’s possession a Glock 17 firearm loaded with 10 rounds of live ammunition. The Talomo police also subjected the suspect to liquor test and medical examination.
In an interview on Monday, DCPO director Senior Supt. Alexander Tagum warned all police personnel to refrain from drinking if they have a history of unruly behavior.
“I would like to tell you that we are trying hard, our officers and commanders already in double time, to improve the level of discipline of the personnel in the field,” he added.
Tagum said he would not hesitate to dismiss DCPO personnel for similar behavior. “There is no place for you in the Davao City Police Office and I will assure the filing of a case and their dismissal,” he added. (Rhoda Grace Saron/PNA)