Cop involved in shooting released

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A police officer, who was involved in a shooting incident here was released from jail on Tuesday, two days after the incident.

This, as one of the two victims in the incident decided not to press charges against Police Master Sergeant Jeff Desucatan, 37, according to Major Ritchie Gohee, head of Police Station 4.

Gohee said that 30-year-old Richard Jimenez executed an affidavit of non-interest to file charges after he agreed to a settlement with Desucatan.

Jimenez was wounded after he was shot by Desucatan when they figured in a commotion in Barangay 26 last Sunday.

The commotion stemmed from a confrontation between Jimenez and Desucatan when the former accused the latter of having a relationship with his former girlfriend.

The policeman claimed that the woman was his friend whom he visited that day in the village.

Gohee said Desucatan and his friend denied Jimenez’s accusation.

Prior to the incident, Desucatan and Jimenez had previous arguments which probably caused the latter to hold a grudge against the former.

Despite Desucatan’s release, Gohee said that he may still face criminal charges for serious physical injury after Jorem Sibug, 24, of Barangay 27 here, was also wounded when he was hit by a stray bullet while walking home.

Gohee said Sibug’s family is willing to file charges against Desucatan, but on regular filing as he is still recuperating in a hospital here.

Gohee said Desucatan’s government issued Glock 17 with a magazine loaded with four live ammunitions is still with the crime laboratory for examination.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Sherlock Gabana, public information officer of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said that Desucatan has returned to duty as desk officer of Police Station 2, as there was no relief order issued yet.

Gabana said the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) continues to investigate the incident for his administrative case.