Cop who killed fellow policeman didn't feel remorse

CEBU, Philippines – “Even a small regret I did not feel it.”

PO3 Ananias Mortejo of San Francisco Police Station in the island of Camotes made this statement following his killing of PO2 Edward Keith Barrameda, whom he described as a bully in their station who acted “just like a king.”

In an interview over dySS yesterday morning, Mortejo said he is now contented to be in prison, as he clarified that he shot Barrameda to defend himself because he saw the latter about to pull his firearm.

Mortejo also blamed their station chief, saying “If our chief makes an action immediately these would not happen.”

Misunderstanding over a lost key and missing items inside the town police station’s stockroom was allegedly the reason behind the incident.

Mortejo, who has one son, also a policeman assigned in Mandaue City, is about to retire next year but because of the incident, his retirement benefits will be possibly affected.

Early morning last Sunday, Mortejo, 54, a widower, and resident of barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City, was allegedly roused from his sleep when Barrameda, 32, of Minglanilla town, entered the radio room where Mortejo was. 

Mortejo, who is the supply Police Non-Commissioned Officer of the station, accused Barrameda of taking four short pants, two .38 caliber revolvers, one super .38 pistol, and one Beretta pistol from the stockroom, an allegation that the younger policeman had denied.

At the height of their altercation, Mortejo allegedly grabbed his M-16 Armalite rifle and fired twice at Barrameda hitting him on the upper right side of the chest.

Upon hearing of gunshots, other policeman immediately rushed to the radio room and found Barrameda already wounded on the floor. The wounded policeman was rushed to the Ricardo Maningo Memorial Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

In yesterday’s interview, Mortejo added that Barrameda got mad at him after the latter received some text messages accusing him of stealing some items inside the police station’s stockroom.

On Saturday evening, Mortejo alleged that he and Barrameda had a confrontation regarding the matter. During the incident, Mortejo claimed the younger policeman pointed his gun at him and mauled him that resulted to injuries in his leg, left portion of his body and his arm. Mortejo said he went to the hospital to have medical certificate for him to file multiple physical injuries against Barrameda.

Prior last Sunday’s incident, Mortejo said Barrameda arrived at the police station looking for him.

“Gi-badlong pa gani siya sa among kauban nga ayaw ug adto sa radio room kay naa ko, wa jud siya mipatuo. Adto man unta gani ko matulog sa balay sa akong pag-umangkon para likay sa gubot pero akong mga kauban man niingon sad nga sa station nalang ko tulog kay basin hagisan nasad sila ni Barrameda mao nga diha nalang ko sa radio room.” Mortejo said.

But while Mortejo claimed he shot Barrameda in self defense, Supt. Erson Digal, Cebu Provincial Police Deputy Director for administration, said that they would file a criminal case against Mortejo today. He said Sr. Insp. Ruben Cuizon, chief of the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management (PIDM) Branch went to San Francisco police station to investigate the incident.

Digal said a case of murder will be filed and it would now depend on the court to lower the case if they see any provocation in the incident. — Christopher Gabriel Bonjoc/WAB (THE FREEMAN)