THE police official accused of acts of lasciviousness by his former house help, a 16-year-old pregnant teen who was shot after attending a court proceeding on Tuesday, broke his silence and denied involvement on the shooting incident.
In an interview over a radio station Thursday, November 14, Major Albart Tare denied having a hand in the shooting of the victim.
The girl was shot across the Hall of Justice on Mastersons Avenue, Upper Carmen, after attending the arraignment of the case. She is still under observation at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC).
Tare said it will be hard for investigators to connect him to the shooting because the gunmen must be identified and arrested first.
“I could never be in two places at the same time. It (shooting) happened between 9 or 10 a.m. and during that time, nigawas nako, giubanan nako akong abogado nag-storya mi sa kaso, I was with my lawyer the whole time,” he said.
Tare also said he has no intent on killing the girl, pointing out that the act of lasciviousness complaint is a small case.
“Kung ako, di na kinahanglan isugo pa. Dili man angay patyon kay gamay raman na nga kaso, dili man na tinuod, dili na angay patyon,” he said.
Tare also claimed that the case was filed by the girl to get back at him for filing qualified theft and cyber libel cases against the victim.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Mardy Hortillosa II, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Northern Mindanao, said a police officer will automatically be investigated if involved in a criminal case.
“Major Tare is still an active police officer, pero naa may nag-file ug kaso so automatic naa pud investigation sa iya, depende na dayon sa provincial director unsa iyang next course of action after the investigation,” he said.
Hortillosa said the case will be investigated thoroughly to ensure that the police officer is given due process.