Mayor defends cop in stab suspect slay

Mayor Tomas Osmeña does not believe there was overkill in the shooting and killing of a stabbing suspect in Plaza Independencia last Sunday night.

The mayor even commended PO1 Richard Condes of the Mobile Patrol Group and is considering giving him a bonus.

“There is no such thing as overkill.  I commend the policeman for doing his job.”

Condes shot stabbing suspect Richard Morales, 20, who was hit in the buttocks and right leg, after he refused to surrender to policemen, he later died at the Cebu City Medical Center.

Before the incident Morales was drinking in a videoke bar with his friends.  When it came his turn to sing a certain Marlon Espinosa, 20, a candle vendor and a resident of barangay Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City, who was sitting in another table, allegedly failed to pass the microphone.

Morales got mad and they had an argument that ended when Morales  stabbed Espinosa in the chest with a knife.

Condes and PO1 Manuel Paez III were on patrol and were informed about the commotion, they went to the area and saw the suspect still holding the knife and chased him.

Condes said he called out to the suspect to stop and even fired a warning shot but Morales ran on prompting him to shoot at Morales in the buttocks and leg.

Morales was rushed to CCMC along with Espinosa where he later died.

But Osmeña defended the policeman saying there was a threat because Morales was still holding the knife.  He said that if an armed robber who had just robbed but did not harm anybody is considered dangerous, how much more a man who just stabbed somebody.

The mayor said that city is also willing to provide assistance to Condes if the family of Morales will file a case against him.

“To me, we will support our policemen.  Otherwise, our policemen will not carry their guns anymore,” Osmeña said.

No charges have been filed against Condes, but city police chief Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador said they will still conduct their own investigation into the incident.

He added it was not only the policeman’s life that was at stake at the time as the suspect could have hurt other civilians.

Homicide Section chief Insp. Mario Monilar told reporters that Morales’ relatives visited their office yesterday.  While they accepted that Morales indeed stabbed Espinosa, they did not say whether they will be filing charges against Condes.

Monilar said they want the body of Morales autopsied to look for signs that might show Condes violated the rules of engagement.

 “The fact that the trajectory of the bullet is downward he (Condes) is consistent with his claim that his intent is to maim him, apan sa autopsy diha nato basehan kung duna ba gyuy nalapas ang polis ug sa mga testimonya unya sa mga witnesses,” Monilar said.  -Wenna A. Berondo and Edwin Ian Melecio/BRP