HOMICIDE charges are now readied against a laborer involved in a brawl at Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City that resulted in the death of a policeman on Sunday, November 14.

As of yesterday, November 15, suspect Regie Buatag, 27, a temporary resident of Purok Villa Villeta in the barangay underwent a paraffin test to ascertain if he fired the service firearm of Staff Sergeant Benjie Giron, Police Station 4 commander Major Ritchee Gohee said.

Giron, 48, of Glendale Subdivision at Barangay Granada in the city died at Metro Bacolod Hospital and Medical Center while being treated of his wound in the abdomen.

Gohee said the paraffin test would determine if it was Buatag who fired Giron's gun hitting him or if it was the other way around.

Considering that the two were already in a brawl, it would be difficult to ascertain who fired the gun, he stressed.

Investigation showed that Giron and his wife, whose name was not disclosed, went to Jesusa Heights Subdivision to visit his cousin, to whom Buatag was working as a hollow blocks maker.

Since Buatag is not familiar with the policeman and was already under the influence of liquor, he asked where the latter was going in a rude manner, the investigation also showed.

Gohee said Giron initially ignored Buatag and went out to park his vehicle properly and when the policeman returned, the suspect again became rude to him.

Angered by Buatag's actuation, Giron slapped him and this triggered the suspect to get a knife while the policeman drew his firearm, he said.

Gohee added that Buatag tried to wrest Giron's firearm while holding his knife and while they were grappling, the gun fired hitting the policeman.

In his Facebook page, Giron's colleagues mourn his death and are seeking justice.

Giron was a traffic investigator of Police Station 6. The Philippine flag at the station is currently on half-mast.