MAPANDAN—The deputy police chief here who is the namesake of the President’s father, faces an attempted murder charge and a separate administrative charge for shooting and wounding a subordinate inside their headquarters.

A case of attempted murder against PInsp. Benigno Aquino will be filed on Monday after he shot and wounded SPO1 Gil Solomon, PSSupt. Sterling Raymund Blanco, OIC-police director, said.

On the night of July 5, 2014, Aquino reportedly arrived at the station looking for Solomon shouting at top of his voice and loaded his caliber .45. He shot Solomon on sight and hit him on his right leg.

P03 Jacinto Lopez, a witness to the incident, disarmed Aquino and together with SPO3 Reynaldo Frias, they rushed Solomon to the Mapandan Community Hospital.

But when Aquino reportedly attempted to retake his gun from Lopez while inside the patrol car, the latter jumped out of the car that made him sustain injuries.

When Aquino failed to get his gun, he fled. He surrendered Sunday morning after Blanco ordered a manhunt.

Blanco ordered Aquino’s arrest and immediate relief as deputy police chief.

He said since the attempted murder charge is bailable, he ordered Special Weapons and Tactics members to escort Aquino back to the Pangasinan Provincial Office (PPO) once he posts bail.

“He will be detained at the PPO in Lingayen so he cannot influence the conduct of investigation,” Blanco said.

The administrative case for grave misconduct against Aquino will place him under a 90-day preventive suspension rule.

Aquino was reportedly angered by Solomon’s alleged refusal to obey his instructions.

Blanco said Aquino, who is nearing his retirement age, had no previous cases of abuse which was why his colleagues were surprised about what he did.

If proven guilty, the suspect will be dismissed from service and may even lose his retirement benefits, Blanco said. (Tita Roces and Johanne R. Macob)

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments