Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 23) – A Quezon City police officer who allegedly shot a 22-year-old student while under the influence of alcohol is facing frustrated murder charges, authorities said on Wednesday.
According to the Quezon City police, the 28-year-old suspect, Police Corporal Reymark Rigor, has also been slapped with criminal charges for illegal possession of firearms in relation to the Omnibus Election Code, and administrative charges for grave misconduct.
The incident reportedly happened on Feb. 8 while the victim, Adrianne Castor, was on his way home onboard a taxi.
Rigor, who was riding a motorcycle despite being drunk, was said to have blocked the taxi and pulled out a firearm, but later drove away and shortly crashed into a post within the area.
“The victim instructed the driver to find an alternative route and he alighted the vehicle to guide the driver to make a U-turn. While he was assisting the driver, the suspect crashed in the middle of the road, slowly stood and pulled out his firearm and fired towards the victim hitting his chest,” police said in a statement.
It added that the student was immediately brought to a nearby hospital.
Two days later, Rigor voluntarily surrendered. Police said he has been relieved from his post and “transferred to (the) Admin Holding Unit of District Personnel and Records Management Division.”
Authorities added the suspect posted a ₱200,000 bail on Feb. 18 but has been detained in Camp Karingal for his administrative hearing.
Cops assigned to look into the case have also been confined in the camp and are undergoing pre-charge investigation “for their failure to conduct a thorough and proper investigation.”
According to the local government, the victim also lodged a complaint against PSSg. Bryan Busto and PCpl. Jaycee Tordil for allegedly downplaying his injury as just a graze gunshot wound before he underwent operation. Additionally, the two cops supposedly left the hospital without gathering information from doctors.
Authorities said Busto and Tordil only categorized the incident as “physical injuries” instead of the more serious crime of frustrated murder.
