The policeman who was caught in a viral video while shooting a 52-year-old woman has been dismissed from the service, Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said Thursday.
Police Master Sergeant Hensie Zinampan, who shot dead Lilybeth Valdez in Quezon City on May 31, will not receive his salary and other benefits as a result of the dismissal, Eleazar said.
"Ang pagkakatanggal kay PMS Zinampan sa serbisyo ay isa lamang sa mga patunay na hindi namin kinukunsinti ang mga pang-aabuso at mga kamalian sa aming hanay. Ito din ay nagpapatunay na ang disciplinary mechanism sa PNP ay gumagana, matatag at maasahan," Eleazar said.
The dismissal order came almost a month after public outrage over Valdez's death, the latest in a string of shootings involving law enforcers. Eleazar said "this is actually one of the fastest" cases to be resolved.
In the viral video, Zinampan was seen approaching Valdez, who was outside her home in Barangay Greater Fairview. Zinampan drew a firearm from his bag, walked closer to Valdez, pulled her hair, and shot her, Beverly Luceño, the victim's daughter, told GMA News.
Luceño said that the suspect and her brother earlier had a disagreement that led to a fistfight. They were both drunk when it happened.
Zinampan initially denied killing the victim, until he was confronted by a viral video. Eleazar thanked the person who uploaded the video to avoid "total denial" of the crime.
