Scion of prominent family figures in gun poking incident anew
For the nth time, the scion of a prominent Fil-Chinese family figured in a gun poking incident.
Kenneth Chua allegedly showed his gun-poking prowess to a drinking buddy in the presence of the latter’s friends and wife early morning of yesterday at Sandpipers bar at Brgy. Bolilao, Mandurriao, Iloilo.
In a police booking prepared by lawyer Plaridel Nava, complainant Roberto Celiz of Brgy. Sto. Niño Sur, Atrevalo, Iloilo City, alleged that at around 3:00 a.m., “he was with several companions and his wife, Chua, who was believed to be under the influence of alcoholic drinks and was armed with handgun, pointed a firearm to the informant and threatened to kill him without any justification and lawful cause.”
But amid the latest hullabaloo involving Chua came allegations that responding police operatives – SPO2 Enrico Sontillanosa and PO3 Antonio Salazar – let go of the suspect.
Mandurriao Police Station commander Chief Insp. Conrado Garganillo said that they responded to Sandpipers after a report for police assistance.
When policemen arrived in the area, Nava was at the bar’s entrance.
Garganillo said that the lawyer told the policemen: “Dakpa niyo to si Kenneth. Gintutukan niya migo ko. Ato sya sa Room 2.”
By Room 2, Garganillo surmised that Kenneth and his companions occupied a VIP lounge of the said bar.
“Our policemen went inside the establishment but the security guard told them to wait for the manager,” the Mandurriao PNP chief said.
“Since they don’t know where Room is, they opted to wait for the manager. Sang dugay na nga wala pa ka balik ang guard, ginsulod na lang sang mga pulis ta ang KTV rooms. It was then that they saw the manager who was talking on his mobile phone,” Garganillo narrated.
He admitted that the policemen waited for the manager to end his call.
Shortly later, they were escorted to Room 2 where they found no Chua in sight.
“It’s very foul to say that we allowed him to go. Our policemen did not know where to look got him. It’s just reasonable for them to ask for assistance,” Garganillo stressed.
When asked what could have triggered the alleged gun poking, the Mandurriao PNP chief said that they are still investigating it.
They are also looking for the whereabouts of Chua.
“But a friend of Chua informed us that the suspect would settle the matter by asking for an apology. Still, we would go on with out investigation,” Garganillo said.
Amid the tirades against Sontillanosa and Salazar, Garganillo asked Sandpipers’ management why Chua, who was allegedly armed, was allowed entrance.
“No firearm is allowed in the area. So, if it’s true that he had a gun, how was he able to get hold of a gun?” he quipped.
As this developed, Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) chief Senior Supt. Melvin Mongcal said that he tasked ICPO deputy chief Supt. Eugenio Espejo to investigate the allegations against Solntillanosa and Salazar.
In the meantime, they would be placed at the holdings center at ICPO headquarters.
