Guard shoots three junk thieves

A security guard shot three persons who allegedly stole assorted junk items from the Visayan Electric Company Office in Carbon, barangay Ermita yesterday morning.

Negelou Paller, 28, of the Black Night Allied Services Security Agency surrendered to the authorities after he reportedly shot food vendor Joseph Flores, 50; trisikad driver Gil Rosales, 50; and Antonio Toregosa, 39, who were all rushed to Cebu City Medical Center.

Initial investigation conducted by police revealed that it was Flores who allegedly stole the VECO items and that Rosales and Toregosa were only hit by stray bullets.

Rosales was reportedly sleeping inside his house when he was hit in his foot while Toregosa was hit in the left side of his body while standing at the house of his cousin.

But Paller said he actually saw the three steal the items, which included a transformer, a battery and some cables. He explained that the men continued to steal the VECO items despite his warning shots, although he did not notice that they were already hit.

Paller said that only eight of the 18 assorted items were left, believing that the men belong to a group responsible for the series pilferage in the area.

Police recovered two empty shells and a live ammunition of a 12-guage shotgun from the area.

Homicide Section chief Mario Monilar said frustrated homicide will be charged against Paller, who had undergone paraffin test yesterday afternoon. - Norvie S. Misa