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Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Cop shoots civilian while responding to alarm in camp
CEBU CITY -- A member of the military police (MP) stationed at the Gate 2 of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) Central Command (Centcom) in Barangay Apas, Cebu City accidentally shot a civilian last Sunday night.
Seaman First Class (SN1) Dioflor T. Almonte of the Philippine Navy, 31, surrendered to Cebu City policemen after shooting 23-year-old Alex N. Galan III past 11 p.m.
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Almonte was the duty guard of Gate 2 during the incident.
SOP
Homicide Section Chief Mario Monilar, in an interview with reporters, said that as "standard operating procedure" of the AFP, Almonte was taken under the custody of his immediate commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Malasa, starting yesterday, pending the result of the investigation.
Monilar said initial investigation showed that the incident was triggered after another member of the AFP, identified as Private First Class (PFC) Raymund S. Pastera, 35, of the Philippine Marines, figured in a trouble with a group of men nearby.
The incident occurred more than five hours after the Central Visayas was placed on red alert as part of the military preparations for yesterday's 22nd EDSA I celebration.
Almonte, who was at the Homicide Section, declined to be interviewed by reporters Monday.
Response
According to the spot report prepared SPO2 Rey Cuyos and approved by Monilar, Almonte said he was taking over his post as duty guard at the Gate 2 when he spotted Pastera running towards the gate with Alex's older brother Anthony chasing after the Marine officer at around 11:20 p.m.
This prompted Almonte to respond to the incident and try to pacify Pastera and the Galan brothers.
The two brothers, however, allegedly "were so violent," forcing Almonte to pull out his caliber .45 pistol to fire a warning shot.
But before Almonte could pull the trigger, Alex reportedly grabbed the firearm and in the struggle, it went off. The slug hit Alex's back.
Alex was taken to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center by his brother Anthony for treatment.
Monilar, however, said his office is still locating the whereabouts of Alex as the latter was no longer at the hospital when a team of homicide investigators, led by SPO2 Cuyos, came to visit him Monday morning.
Almonte claimed he would have wanted to arrest Alex for direct assault and resistance and disobedience to person in authority but pulled back after three other companions of the Galan brothers arrived, stoned the gate and attempted to force their way in to the camp.
The three other men were identified as Augustus S. Soleño, Dimporiano S. Urdanita and Vergel Cabigon, all residents of Apas.
As Almonte and MP guard Victor Tupas secured the gate, the three companions were shouting, kicking and throwing stones at the gate, including the Red Alert signboard placed near it.
Pastera, who was also interviewed by the homicide investigators, claimed he was looking for a habal-habal motorcycle near the Centcom gate to bring him home when he was attacked by the Galan brothers and their companions.
He said he ran back to the camp to seek assistance.
Anthony, Soleño and Urdanita, however, denied they attacked Pastera for no apparent reason.
They said it was Pastera, whom they described to be drunk, that started the trouble. One of the men was allegedly boxed by Pastera, triggering the incident.
Responding policemen from the Special Weapons and Tactics, Homicide Section investigators and personnel from the Scene of the Crime Operations 7 recovered one empty shell from a caliber .45 and two pieces of rocks at Gate 2.
Almonte's pistol with nine bullets was also confiscated by police.
Monilar said his office is still determining if Almonte could be charged for shooting Alex.
Initially, though, Monilar said Almonte was merely responding to an alarm and the shooting happened in the line of duty.
Alex's group also attacked the camp, which was on red alert status.
Monilar, however, said the Centcom has the prerogative to file complaints of direct assault and resistance and disobedience against Alex and his group. (JST of Sun.Star Cebu)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Baguio. (February 26, 2008 issue)
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