Families of Apas shooting victims eye police security

Fearing for their lives, the families of the slain father and son, Cristito and Esmeraldo Pontanar, are asking for protection from the authorities, as the police are filing charges for double murder and double frustrated homicide against the suspect today.

Cebu City Police Office director Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador said Apas barangay captain Ramil Ayuman has sent a letter to them requesting for police security for the families of the victims.

Comendador said he already instructed the Mabolo Police Station to arrange for the security of the victims’ families.

There were reports that the suspect, retired air force master sergeant Nestor Bugarin, is seeking refuge from his former colleagues in the military.

But the police will ask for help from the Central Command where Bugarin was last assigned.

Comendador has already sent Homicide Section investigators to CentCom to identify who among its active members are helping Bugarin in avoiding the law.

Bugarin allegedly shot and killed Cristito and Esmeraldo Friday night following an argument involving the suspect’s wife, Anecita, the sister of Esmeraldo, and Maria Glen, the wife of Esmeraldo, over the noise created by Bugarin’s dogs.

Police said the argument involving the animal had rekindled the long animosity between Esmeraldo and Anecita over a piece of land that their parents gave to them.

Esmeraldo’s wife and 13-year-old son Paulo were hurt in the shooting.

The police could not hold Anecita responsible for the incident since no one can attest that she participated in the crime.

Comendador said there were reports that a vehicle was seen transporting clothes from the house of Bugarin to the CentCom, but he could not say if they were for the suspect.

He said Bugarin might be hiding inside the camp without the knowledge of camp authorities, adding he is asking the camp authorities to help them in the manhunt.

Bugarin is a former member of the defunct Philippine Constabulary before he joined the Philippine Air Force. — Edwin Ian Melecio/LPM