Terminated town security officer arrested for firing his gun

KORONADAL CITY - Police authorities in Banga, South Cotabato have arrested a former member of municipal security unitwho indiscriminately fired his gun on Sunday evening.Barangay KagawadRene Canapia of Barangay El Nonok, Banga, South Cotabato told DXOM-AM Radyo Bida Koronadal that a soldier, identified as Rafael Lariosa, 29,reported hearing a gun burst at 10:30 p.m. Sundayemanating from the bunkhouse of CA Betalac Construction company compound.Canapia and four members of Barangay Patrol Action Team (BPAT) went to check on the report. They were met by a certain Jerome Mampinayo, 42 who was holding his gun.Canapia, who was armed with a provincial government issued firearm,said Mampinayo pointed his gun at him and told to lay down his gun. Canapia obliged to prevent shooting and handed his gun to his companions and decided to calmly talk to Mampinayo.But henoticedMampinayo was under the influence of liquor. So he and his BPAT companions left and proceeded to the police station.Police later arrested Mampinayo. Investigators, who recovered two empty shells for M-16 Armalite rifle at the bunkhouse,learned Mampinayo had been discharged as town security unit member.Mampinayo denied the charges he fired a gun. He insisted he was unarmed. Policecharged him with illegal discharge of firearm. The firearm used remained unaccounted for.