Cop indicted for homicide and frustrated homicide

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office has indicted a police officer for homicide and frustrated homicide over the killing of a man and the wounding of his nephew in Samboan six months ago.

Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Nelia Sistoso found probable cause to hold SPO2 Arnold Omaña for trial over the death of Socrates Antipuesto and the injury of his nephew Rufo Antipuesto, Jr.

Sistoso, however, downgraded the original complaint for murder and frustrated murder as she believes that the accused only acted in self-defense when he shot Socrates dead and injured his nephew Rufo around 5:30 p.m. on April 9, 2009 in Sitio Tagaytay, Cambigong, Samboan.

But Sistoso said that even if the evidence presented would tend to support self-defense, Omaña still has to prove it in court during a full-blown trial considering that this is “evidentiary.”

Sistoso’s recommendation was approved by Provincial Prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba who ordered the filing of the case in court.

Omaña claimed he was in Samboan on the day the incident happened even if he was assigned in Ginatilan because he was supposed to serve a warrant of arrest. However the subject was not around.

On his way home he passed by a cockfighting where there was a commotion. A woman allegedly sought his help and being a police officer, he felt it was his obligation to respond.

Omaña said he saw Socrates fired a gun on the ground, prompting him to draw his firearm and fired a warning shot. Omaña said he introduced himself as a policeman and ordered Socrates to surrender his gun.

However, Socrates allegedly fired at him, prompting him to return fire hitting the latter in the abdomen. Omaña said he went near to get the firearm but Rufo allegedly grabbed it from behind.

A scuffle ensued causing his service firearm to accidentally discharge, hitting Rufo twice.

Rufo, however, claimed that he was running away when the police officer chased and shot him twice. — Fred P. Languido/LPM   (FREEMAN NEWS)