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Monday, April 21, 2003
Air Force men to answer on shooting of seaman
By Edwin G. Espejo
TWO soldiers of the Philippine Air Force were arrested over the death of a seaman, whom one of soldiers allegedly shot inside an eatery in front of the General Santos City Doctors Hospital.
Melchor Oropel, 36, who died of a single bullet wound in heart, has just arrived in the city after disembarking from his ship in Egypt.
Two of the suspects were later apprehended by elements of the Lagao police station, which was alerted of the shooting incident.
SPO2 Juan Astilla identified the PAF soldiers as 29-year old A1C Julie Cabigon, a resident of Davao City and A1C Omar Taok of Cebu City, both members of the PAF's 17th Special Operation Wing.
The two were arrested around 3 a.m. in a roadblock along the national Highway in Baluan.
They were reportedly on their way to the PAF headquarters in Buayan when accosted by police authorities.
Killed on the spot was 36-year old Melchor Oropel, a resident of Gensanville Subdivision in Bula.
Mitchor Manalo, cousin of the victim, said they passed by La Ilongga Eatery along the national highway when four Air Force men led by a certain Sgt. Perez engaged the victim in an argument.
Moments later a shot rang out leaving behind his cousin slumped to the ground, Manalo added.
Manalo said the suspects were apparently under the influence of liquor. He further said that he earlier saw the suspects at Mamagaya Music Lounge and Restaurant along Santiago Blvd.
The airmen reportedly left hurriedly on board a tricycle and alighted along Leon Llido Street in Lagao.
Wilfredo Cruz, driver of the tricycle that was used as getaway vehicle, however immediately reported the incident to the police.
He said he overheard one of the suspects asked their companion: "Bakit mo binaril?"(Why did you shoot him?)
One of the suspects who was seated at the back reportedly answered: "Hindi naman tinamaan."(Nobody was hit)
Cabigon and Taok were later brought to the Pendatun police station where they are now detained.
They refused to give any statement when Sun.Star tried to interview them.
They told police investigators the two other Air force soldiers who were with them were A1C Ricky Catique and Perez. Major Chito de Guzman, PAF station chief here, said AIC Ricky Catique and Perez failed to report to their headquarters as of Wednesday afternoon.
He said the mobile phones of the two other suspects could not be reached.
Pendatun police station head Chief Insp. Harrison Martinez said the immediate superior of the suspects, whom he declined to identify, checked on the status of the two arrested airmen.
He reportedly promised to surrender Catique and Perez early yesterday morning.
The said PAF officer however failed to bring Catique and Perez when he came back to the police station.
Martinez said Maj. De Guzman should immediately surrender the two other suspects if they are now in their custody.
He warned de Guzman that the PAF officer could be charged for obstruction of justice if the latter fails to give up Catique and Perez.
"Kahit hindi niya i-surrender mag-file pa rin kami ng kaso," he however also added.(Even if he will not surrender them, we will still file the case)
Martinez said charges were already ready for filing Wendesday afternoon.
The victim, who died of a single bullet wound that penetrated his heart, arrived in the city just last Sunday after disembarking from his ship in Egypt.
He tagged along four of his cousins for a blowout in Mamagaya Tuesday evening hours before he met his death. He was survived by his wife and two children.
(April 17, 2003 issue)
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