A man claiming to be the "World Commander of the International Police" was jailed with four of his "officers", for staging an "assault" at Police Precinct 3 in Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City at about 8:50 last night, Senior Supt. Pedro Merced, Bacolod police director, said.

Detained was "General" Julio Quirino who entered the police precinct to demand the release of one of his men who figured in a traffic mishap in Barangay Bata, Bacolod, and was detained for illegal possession of a .45 caliber revolver, SPO2 Larry Benitez said.

Quirino, who appeared to be under the influence of intoxicating liquor, entered the precinct and shouted at the policemen "Pagwa-a nyo tawo ko, kay mapatyanay ta di kon indi nyo pagwaon tawo ko (Release my man, we will kill each other here if you don't release him)", and drew his .45 caliber revolver, Benitez said.

However, before Quirino could fire, one of the policemen parried his weapon, causing its bullet to hit the ground, Benitez added.

"Captain" Norman Aliguin Bitar, 34, of the "Interpol," was arrested after his motorcycle reportedly hit a child at about 8:30 p.m. in Barangay Bata, Benitez said.

Benitez said the child was slightly injured and did not file a complaint, but they brought Bitar in when he was found to have a .45 caliber unlicensed revolver in his possession.

Soon after Bitar was detained, Quirino stormed into the police precinct with his companions, the police said.

Detained as of press time at Precinct 3, along with Quirino and Bitar, were "Colonel" Manuel Basa, "Captain" Julius Santillan, and "Captain" Rolando Española, all claiming to be members of the "Interpol", Benitez said.

Merced said charges will be filed against Quirino for illegal possession of firearms for the .45 caliber revolver which he fired, and a .357 caliber revolver in his car.

Other charges that may be filed are for assault, illegal discharge of a firearm and resisting arrest, he said.

Merced said the "Interpol" group of Quirino is not known to be a registered legal agency.

"General" Vicente Avilla, "Interpol island commander", claimed that their group has 1,400 men in Negros and 6,000 nationwide.

Quirino, who has had other scrapes with the police in the past, had ran for Bacolod mayor in 2004, RGMA Super Radyo reported.*CPG

back to top