Cop relieved after threatening cashier with gun over bill

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TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — A police corporal was relieved from his post for allegedly threatening a restaurant cashier with a gun after being billed P12,000 – an amount that exceeded the P6,000 cash he had on hand.

Cpl. Francisco Picana, member of the Can-avid town police, allegedly engaged in a drinking spree that ended in a confrontation in the restaurant in Dolores town.

Col. Ernesto Macasil, Eastern Samar police chief, said the incident damaged the image of the Philippine National Police, as he stressed the need to maintain PNP integrity and professionalism in all dealings.

“I will not let this pass. Someone has to be held responsible. We will find out after the investigation,” Macasil said in Filipino.

Picana has been placed under restrictive custody and his gun confiscated to safeguard the integrity and impartiality of the probe.

Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy, Eastern Visayas police director, said “any form of misconduct will be addressed decisively, in strict accordance with existing laws and PNP policies.”

Capoy stressed that the PNP maintains its commitment to uphold professionalism, discipline and accountability among its personnel at all times.

He urged the public to report any infraction by a police officer for appropriate action.

Meanwhile, a 52-year-old foreman was arrested for threatening a 17-year-old worker with a gun in Norzagaray, Bulacan over the weekend.

Based on a report to Central Luzon police chief Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez, the foreman allegedly had a heated argument with the teenager, which led the foreman to draw his gun and threaten the boy.

Frightened, the worker sought help from Norzagaray police personnel who were on patrol. The police officers arrested the foreman and seized a .22-caliber revolver with a bullet.

Charges for grave threats in relation to child abuse are being prepared against the suspect.