SELF-defense.

That’s how the bodyguard-driver of Tejero Barangay Councilor Jessielou Cadungog described his decision to shoot PO3 Eugene Calumba.

In his counter-affidavit, William Macaslang said that he merely retaliated when the back-rider of a motorcycle, who was later identified as Calumba, pulled his gun and pointed it at the driver’s side.

Macaslang also clarified that he was the only person inside the Toyota FJ Cruiser when the motorcycle-riding tandem attacked him near a gasoline station in Barangay Tejero last July 30.

Macaslang’s lawyer, Benjamin Militar, submitted his counter-affidavit to the murder and frustrated murder that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 7 filed against him and Cadungog before the City Prosecutor’s Office.

The Office of the Regional State Prosecutor took over the complaints after the entire City Prosecutor’s Office backed off from handling the complaint.

Cadungog and Macaslang earlier filed attempted murder and illegal gun possession charges against Michael Banua, the police civilian who drove the motorcycle that Calumba was riding, before the Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor last Aug. 3.

Eight witnesses, including Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak, have executed their affidavits to corroborate the statements of Cadungog and Macaslang in filing the complaints against Banua. (GMD)