Cop arrested after firing gun at father’s wake

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — A police officer was arrested after firing his service firearm at his father’s wake Monday evening, Sept. 21, in Sitio Palagtingan, Barangay Agambulong, Jamindan, Capiz.

Police Maj. Rachelle Garnica, spokesperson for the Capiz Police Provincial Office, identified the suspect as Patrolman Jun Vaccarro, who is assigned to the Iloilo City Police Mobile Force Company but temporarily detailed to Iloilo City Police Station 9.

The incident happened inside the house after a commotion broke out between the suspect and his older siblings.

At the height of the altercation, the suspect’s mother tried to intervene, but the police officer drew his 9 mm pistol and fired at the concrete floor.

His mother, Nelia Que Vacaro, and brother, Michael Que Vacaro, were accidentally struck by fragments of broken tiles caused by the gunfire.

The victims were taken by the Jamindan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to Mambusao District Hospital for treatment and were later allowed to go home.

Personnel from the Jamindan Municipal Police Station immediately responded and arrested the suspect.

Garnica said the suspect is under the custody of the Jamindan police, along with his issued firearm.

Charges for alleged violation of Article 254 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 11926 on the willful and indiscriminate discharge of firearms, were filed against him before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday morning, Sept. 23, 2026, through inquest proceedings.

The charges were filed despite his mother and two siblings executing affidavits of non-interest in pursuing cases against him.

Police said the suspect was under the influence of alcohol during the incident.