MANILA, Philippines — A National Police Commission (Napolcom) officer was arrested Friday for alleged grave threats after he reportedly drew a firearm and threatened a Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) driver, police said.
According to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), the incident began with a minor collision along Edsa in Mandaluyong City.
“The suspect was identified as alias ‘Jaime,’ a resident of Project 6, Quezon City and a Police Inspector III of NAPOLCOM, while the victim is a 42-year-old Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) driver from Macabebe, Pampanga,” police said in a press release on Saturday.
Both parties were directed by a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic enforcer to relocate near Robinsons Galleria to avoid traffic congestion.
Police said a heated argument later ensued, during which the suspect allegedly drew his firearm, tucked it into his shorts, and pointed it to the ground while making threatening remarks against the driver.
Alarmed by the suspect’s actions, the TNVS driver sought police assistance.
Responding officers from Eastwood Police Station 12 arrested the suspect and recovered a Napolcom-issued 9mm pistol, a magazine and 15 rounds of ammunition.
After further investigation, the suspect was also revealed to be allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.
Charges for grave threats are being prepared before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.
In a statement on Saturday, Napolcom Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan condemned the actions of Police Inspector III Jaime Hermogenes Jularbal Flores Jr. and ordered an administrative investigation into the incident.
Calinisan said the commission would fully cooperate with any criminal investigation and apologized to the TNVS driver involved.
“Such behavior is unacceptable from a public servant and does not reflect the values upheld by the Commission,” Calinisan said in Filipino. /apl
