PNP official arrested for allegedly firing gun outside QC restobar

A Philippine National Police (PNP) official who was previously charged for suspected involvement in a hit-and-run incident was rearrested on Sunday morning for allegedly firing a gun outside a restobar in Quezon City.

The suspect was identified as Police Lieutenant Colonel Mark Julio Abong, former chief of the Quezon City Police District Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (QCPD-CIDU), who is now assigned to the PNP headquarters’ legal service department, according to a report by Luisito Santos on Super Radyo dzBB.

QCPD-CIDU said Abong was nabbed after allegedly assaulting a waiter and firing a gun twice outside a bar along Scout Rallos Street in Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City.

The police official was reportedly drunk and had an argument with a fellow customer.

Tension also occurred at the QCPD-CIDU office in Camp Karingal after Abong tried to leave even though a clearance from the PNP was not given yet.

UPDATE: Inakala ng inarestong police official na maaari na siyang makaalis sa Camp Karingal dahil wala na umano silang complainant pero hindi ito pinayagan ng kanyang mga kabaro dahil wala pang clearance sa mga nakatataas na opisyal. https://t.co/NDqDBJY56p

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) November 26, 2023

Abong will face multiple complaints such as alarm and scandal, violation of the Omnibus Election Code (gun ban), physical injuries, and slander. The gun ban or the prohibition on the bearing, carrying, or transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons was set from August 28 to November 29 due to the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

The QCPD-CIDU said there is enough evidence against Abong.

"Meron dahil narekober natin yung ginamit na baril sa pagpaputok niya. At the same time meron tayong mga witness na makapagsasabi na siya nga ang nagpaputok," QCPD-CIDU assistant chief Police Captain Jose Valle said.

(There is [enough evidence] because we recovered the gun which he used. At the same time, we have witnesses who could attest that he was the one who fired the gun.)

WATCH: Sinabi ng QCPD-CIDU na may sapat at matibay na ebidensya para makasuhan ang opisyal ng PNP na nagpaputok ng baril sa labas ng isang bar sa Quezon City. | via @luisitosantos03 https://t.co/CxsH2t7NAo

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) November 26, 2023

The QCPD-CIDU said no special treatment will be given to Abong.

WATCH: Tiniyak ng QCPD na walang special treatment sa dati nilang opisyal na inaresto sa pagpapaputok ng baril sa isang bar sa Quezon City. https://t.co/TCfcumcHCv

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) November 26, 2023

In August 2022, Abong was relieved from his post as QCPD-CIDU chief after his vehicle was involved in a hit-and-run incident, killing a tricycle driver and injuring a passenger.

In March 2023, the People's Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) of Quezon City dismissed Abong after he was found guilty of multiple charges of grave misconduct, grave neglect of duty, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer with the aggravating circumstance of employment of fraudulent means to conceal an offense.

In a statement, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said that the city government seeks a thorough, fair, and prompt investigation into the matter.

"Kasabay nito, nais nating hilingin na bigyang-linaw ng liderato ng QCPD at PNP kung ano ang estado ni Abong na dating taga-QCPD lalo na't ito ay inalis na sa serbisyo ng QC PLEB," the statement also quoted her as saying.

(We urge the QCPD and PNP leadership to clarify Abong's status, especially as the QC PLEB has removed him from service.)

"Mariin nating kinokondena ang anumang insidente ng karahasan, lalo na ang pagmamalabis sa tungkulin ng isang lingkod-bayan. Ang tsapa ay hindi hindi permiso sa pang-aabuso. Walang puwang ang ganitong gawi sa ating lungsod," she added.

(We emphatically condemn any incident of violence, especially the abuse of authority by any public servant. A badge is not a license to abuse. These actions have no place in our city.) —Giselle Ombay/KG/BM, GMA Integrated News