Days after ‘killing’ in-laws: Retired sergeant surrenders to NBI
The retired Air Force enlisted man, who allegedly killed two members of his wife’s family and injured two other relatives, last Friday night in
Nestor Bugarin was picked up by NBI agents led by Arnel Pura in barangay Bitoon, Daanbantayan town yesterday.
He earlier sent surrender feelers to the NBI and then his wife Anecita made an official request with the bureau saying that her husband fears for his life.
In her letter request dated June 3, Anecita said that her husband wanted to surrender to the NBI to ensure his safety.
“We also do not trust other law enforcement agency for his surrender,” Anecita said in her letter request.
Bugarin, who is now under voluntary custody at the NBI office has admitted to killing his father-in-law Cristito Pontanar and his brother-in-law Esmeraldo Pontanar aside from wounding Esmeraldo’s wife Maria Glen and the couple’s 13-year-old son.
The suspect said he has no regrets about having to kill the two men as he did it in self-defense.
He claimed that he has been trying to restrain himself for over two years despite being allegedly provoked by his victims.
“Wala akong pinagsisihan,” Bugarin said.
Bugarin said what he did was self-defense because it was allegedly his brother-in-law who provoked him. In fact, he said the incident happened near his house.
According to Bugarin, his conflict with the victims started two years ago when his jeep parked inside their compound was intentionally bumped by Esmeraldo.
There were also succeeding incidents which he allowed to pass until last Friday night when he was already allegedly attacked.
Bugarin said the incident started with a petty argument between Anecita and Esmeraldo’s wife. However, Esmeraldo arrived allegedly bringing with him a gun and called on him to go out to finish everything off.
At first, Bugarin said he did not mind Esmeraldo until the latter allegedly attempted to go inside his house. It was then that he took his gun and shot his brother-in-law.
His father-in-law, Cristito, came to the rescue and hit Bugarin on the face with an open palm prompting the retired soldier to shoot him as well.
Bugarin said he shot Esmeraldo’s wife and son Paulo because they allegedly tried to hit him at the back with an iron bar and stone, respectively.
After the shooting, Bugarin said he walked to a nearby mall where he took a cab to Cordova before heading to Daanbantayan.
Although, he has no warrant of arrest yet, Bugarin said he will stay at the NBI office for protective custody.
The police have already filed charges against him for double murder before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office where it is currently under preliminary investigation.
Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, in a telephone interview, told The Freeman that if the NBI-7 would turn over Bugarin to them, they would ask the Prosecutors Office for an immediate inquest proceeding to determine if this still falls as a warrantless arrest under the Revised Criminal Procedures.
Comendador would be sending a team of investigators led by Sr. Insp. Mario Monilar to coordinate with the NBI to exhaust all means to have Bugarin turned over to them otherwise he would ask his men to execute affidavits that they have knowledge that Bugarin was arrested by the NBI or have the NBI issue a certification that they have arrested Bugarin.
This has to be done to avoid a similar situation as the case of former policeman Arnulfo Pigon,Jr., who sought the protective custody of the NBI in
But if not, will have no other option but to go back in the regular filing of the charges and just wait for the warrant of arrest to come out.
With the issuance of the certificate, the police could file the charges against Bugarin and at the same time have him undergo to inquest proceedings.
Comendador said the injured victims have submitted their medical certificates to complete the documents for the charges to be filed. — (/NLQ)
- Latest
- Trending
