Jailguard in hot water for cocking gun when asked to pay bar bill

By: Jennifer P. Rendon

A MEMBER of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) was jailed and faces a string of complaints after making a scene inside a bar in Mandurriao, Iloilo City early morning of Aug. 29, 2019.

Jail Officer 2 (JO2) Iris Lizada, a custodial escort at the BJMP – District Jail In Barangay Nanga, Pototan, Iloilo was observed to be under the influence of liquor when he entered Saxxxys Bar and Grill at Smallville Complex in Mandurriao district,

Lizada, 38, a resident of Barangay Burirao, Lambunao, Iloilo, was with three relatives identified as Agustin Pedrosa, 40; Joel Labordo, 21; and Julius Lizada during the incident.

They, too, were arrested.

Bar manager Luztifanny Sasarita, 41, of Barangay Cabugao Sur, Pavia, Iloilo, said the suspect ordered several bottles of beer and food.

The bar bouncer later approached them and asked to pay for their bill at around 2:50 a.m.

JO2 Lizada allegedly ignored the bouncer but when the latter again asked them to pay, the suspect drew his gun.

In front of the manager and the bouncer, Lizada repeatedly cocked his gun.

Sasarita immediately called for police assistance and had the four suspects arrested.

Reports reaching the BJMP-6 office said the suspects’ bill was over P2,000. They were jailed for complaints of threats and estafa.

Senior Jail Officer 3 (SJO3) Leo Laserna, chief of BJMP-6 Investigation and Prosecution Division, said the suspect was immediately relieved from his post.

Jail Chief Supt. ArnelGongona, BJMP-6 regional director, also wanted the immediate filing of administrative charges against Lizada.

“First, he will be liable for going inside the bar. Second, it is prohibited for him to bring his issued firearm unless it is for his official function,” he said.

The cases are further aggravated because he was complained for not paying his bill and threatening the two bar employees.

Early this year, President Rodrigo Duterte, thru DILG Secretary Eduardo Año, reiterated anew “existing rules and regulations prohibiting police personnel from bars, nightclubs and similar public drinking places and establishments.”

It was gathered that the suspect had been with the BJMP-6 for around two years already.

Prior to that, he was with assigned at the National Capital Region.

It was the first time that Lizada was complained for misdemeanour.

But a few months ago, a woman appeared at the BJMP-6 to compel the suspect to allegedly support their child.

It was gathered that Lizada is still a bachelor at 38.

“But whether the private complainants, in this case the bar manager and bouncer, would pursue the case or not, we would go with our investigation,” Laserna said.

A BJMP-6 investigator tried to get his statement Thursday morning but “he was indisposed at the time to give his account of what happened.”

Two weeks ago, a BJMP-6 personnel was also sued in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.

Jail Officer 1 Ryan Tupas was charged for murder and attempted murder with the use of unlicensed firearm before the Iloilo Provincial Prosecutors Office on Friday.

Tupas, 35 of Barangay San Juan, Barotac Viejo, Iloilo and assigned in Barotac Viejo district jail, allegedly shot dead Ernesto Pescador, 49 of Barangay Vista Alegre, Barotac Viejo.

He also poked his gun at Jay Unabia, the boyfriend of Pescador’s daughter.

Tupas was also reportedly drunk when the incident happened.