CAGAYAN de Oro City — Two active police personnel are facing criminal and administrative proceedings after they were arrested in connection with the shooting of a civilian in Barangay Indahag here, with police officials assuring the public that the case will not be covered up.

The Police Regional Office in Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) said it would not tolerate misconduct by its personnel and that the two officers’ service firearms had been secured for examination.

The shooting happened at about 9:54 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at Sitio Lumboy, where a 38-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to his upper thigh. 

He was brought to Maria Reyna Xavier University Hospital and was reported in stable condition.

PRO-10 Regional Director Police Brigadier General Nestor C. Babagay Jr. described the incident as “deeply regrettable” and said it was a serious breach of public trust.

“The Police Regional Office 10 does not condone any act of misconduct committed by personnel entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the public,” Babagay said.

He said the two personnel had been apprehended and their issued firearms secured, while criminal and administrative proceedings would be pursued in accordance with law and due process.

“The uniform is a symbol of the people's trust and carries with it a solemn responsibility—it must never be used as a shield from accountability,” Babagay said.

Babagay also said the victim would be assisted in pursuing legal remedies and seeking justice.

“We assure the public that PRO10 will remain steadfast in upholding the rule of law, protecting the rights of every person, and maintaining the highest standards of discipline and integrity within the PNP,” he said.

“Accountability will be upheld, regardless of rank or position,” Babagay added.

Police checkpoint intercepts motorcycle

The incident triggered a citywide flash alarm after a concerned citizen reported the gunfire to Police Station 2.

Police personnel at the Indahag Border Control Point later intercepted a gray Yamaha Sniper motorcycle matching the description of the reported getaway vehicle.

The two riders were identified as active PNP personnel assigned to the same border control post. 

They were taken into custody, and their issued service firearms were confiscated for examination.

A witness identified one of the personnel as the alleged shooter. Investigators also recovered a fired cartridge case at the scene.

The circumstances that led to the shooting remain under investigation.

Barangay Indahag Councilor Nazar Uayan told the Philippine News Agency that the victim and the two police officers were at a night fair for the barangay fiesta before an altercation occurred. He said the victim’s family was preparing to file charges.

COCPO: No special treatment

Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) Director PCOL Dexter G. Paje echoed PRO-10’s position.

“Let this be clear: no one is above the law—not even our own,” Paje said.

Paje said COCPO would not protect criminal acts allegedly committed by police personnel and assured the public that the investigation would be thorough, impartial and transparent.

“There will be no cover-up, no special treatment, and no compromise,” he said.

The two personnel are being detained at the Maharlika Detention Facility while investigators prepare the criminal and administrative complaints.

For the public, the case now moves beyond the shooting itself to the question of whether the investigation and subsequent proceedings will be carried out fairly and transparently.

Police officials said the two personnel will be subject to the same legal and administrative processes as required by law.