Belmonte orders probe into shooting incident involving QC cop

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Wednesday ordered the Quezon City People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) to look into the shooting of a student, allegedly by a member of Quezon City Police District (QCPD).

Belmonte issued the order after Adrianne Castor, a 22-year-old student, filed a complaint against Police Corporal Reymark Rigor on February 8.

“While I acknowledge that the QCPD is our partner in maintaining law and order, it must be clear that I have no tolerance for rotten policemen in Quezon City. I am ordering Atty. Calinisan of the PLEB to act on this matter with absolute dispatch,” Belmonte said in a statement.

“Our quick and resolute action is the only way we can alleviate the anguish of Mr. Castor and his family, and reassure the general public that Quezon City is a safe place to be in, where no police abuses are allowed,” she added.

Castor said he was on his way home in a Grab vehicle on Scout Rallos Extension when he noticed a motorcycle rider driving in a “drunkenly manner.”

He said the motorcycle rider fell down and picked something up from the pavement, which turned out to be a gun that the policeman aimed in their direction.

The student said he alighted from the vehicle and asked other car drivers to back up as well, informing them that the rider had a gun.

It was during this time that the motorcycle rider shot Castor, who was immediately brought to a nearby hospital. The incident was captured by CCTV footage and the driver’s dashcam.

Investigation revealed that Rigor was intoxicated at the time, after his superior's birthday celebration.

Castor also filed a complaint against Police Staff Sergeant Bryan Busto and Police Corporal Jaycee Tordil, whom he said that they downplayed his injury as “daplis” or a graze before he underwent operation.

The two policemen also left the hospital without gathering information from the doctors, according to Castro.

“The PLEB commits to hear and decide this case the soonest, in less than 60 days.  This case is summary in nature, and we assure the public that justice will be served,” lawyer Rafael Calinisan, executive officer of the PLEB, said.

The QCPD said that Rigor was immediately arrested, while his service firearm was confiscated for investigation.

Frustrated murder and violation of the Omnibus Election Code charges were filed against Rigor, who posted a P200,000 bail on February 11.

The QCPD also visited the victim’s family to update them on the case and provide financial assistance. — Richa Noriega/BM, GMA News