The Carmen police on Wednesday clarified that the policeman who used his service weapon at 1 a.m. on January 1 fired his gun during a legitimate operation, not to celebrate New Year.

According to PO3 Raulito Heneralao, Carmen police investigator, SPO4 Andres Garcia responded to a call reporting the presence of an armed man in Brgy. Calatrava in said town when he fired his weapon twice.

Heneralao said that Garcia did not point his gun at anyone but instead fired warning shots after the suspect identified as Junrey Bautista fled when the policeman attempted to arrest him.

Bautista remains at large but charges for resistance and disobedience to a person in authority were filed against him on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, charges of alarm and scandal were filed against Bautista’s companions identified as Norwin Gutierez, Leo Logronio, Raymar Bulambot, Vick Norman Ramos, Glenn Sequena, Edmond Patoc and Gorio Bautista, all residents of said village.

All of the suspects have not yet been arrested, said Heneralao.

Concerned citizens, particularly residents in the village of Calatrava, had previously speculated that the policeman indiscriminately fired his weapon in the wee hours of New Year’s Day.

However, Heneralao debunked the allegation as he noted that Garcia was on a legitimate police operation when he fired his gun. (Allen Doydora)