Four police officers in Laguna were dismissed after losing their service firearms, allegedly to “salisi” thieves in their outpost barracks in San Pablo City.
According to a report on Magandang Umaga Pilipinas, among those relieved were two patrolmen, a staff sergeant, and a senior master sergeant stationed at the San Pablo Police Station.
In an initial investigation, it was reported that the officers, resuming duty after a break, were preparing to man a COMELEC-mandated checkpoint at Maharlika Highway in Barangay San Antonio, when the firearms were discovered missing.
The officers believe they had been targeted by opportunistic thieves within the barracks itself.
CALABARZON Police Director Lt. Col. Chitadel Gaoiran said the four were reassigned to the Laguna Police Provincial Office personnel holding and accounting section.
Gaoiran added that their removal is in keeping with the policies of the Philippine National Police (PNP), and aims to prevent any of the officers from influencing the investigation.
The missing guns were an M-16 and three Galil Ace assault rifles.
