THE Municipal Police Station of La Castellana is preparing homicide charges against the cop who shot to death a young man Wednesday morning, April 26, near a vulcanizing shop in Barangay Robles, this town in Negros Occidental.
The fatality was identified as Jered Labiga, 20, of Barangay 3, Moises Padilla town.
Police Officer 3 Jose Michael Muñez was under the custody and restricted from his duties while Labiga’s younger brother Joed, 18, was released from police custody after the lapse of the 12-hour reglementary period.
Chief Inspector Gary Alan Resuma, town police chief, said Labiga was released from detention around 8 p.m. on the same day.
Despite his release, Resuma said they will still file attempted homicide charges against him.
The younger Labiga accompanied his elder brother Jered in a vulcanizing shop to have their motorcycle repaired when the latter suddenly reacted to Muñez who was looking at him.
The elder Labiga asked the police officer what’s he looking at and when the latter identified himself as a policeman, he tried to reach for his gun prompting the policeman to shoot him.
The younger Labiga tried to escape, but was arrested near the area.
Both Muñez and the younger Labiga underwent paraffin test.
The slain victim, who was from Moises Padilla town, was facing charges for homicide, attempted homicide, and illegal possession of firearms.