Ex-cop charged for death of lineman

CEBU, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation has filed criminal complaints before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against a former policeman who was identified by witnesses as the alleged gunman who killed a lineman of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company in Malabuyoc two months ago.

Witnesses said ex-policeman Mark Gregory Teo Divinagracia, who was dismissed in 2003 from the police service, was one of the motorcycle-riding men who killed James Leocar Hinoguin Camay in the afternoon of August 2 in Sitio Talangnan, Malabuyoc.

Divinagracia was allegedly with two other unidentified companions who were only named in the complaint as John Does. The complaints include one count of murder, two counts of frustrated murder and three counts of attempted murder.

Wilfredo Solatorio Jr., Camay’s neighbor in Ginatilan, said he hitched a ride with the multi-cab of Camay in going to the cockpit in Malabuyoc with four other neighbors of them, Vincent Quintana, Alberto Rosagaran, Joselino Mejares and Godofredo Amancio.

After the cockfight they went home together with another neighbor, Calvin Dumabok, still on board Camay’s multi-cab. Solatorio said on their way back to Ginatilan, Divinagracia, on board a motorcycle with two unidentified companions, fired shots at their vehicle.

The multi-cab swerved to the right side of the road and fell into a canal beside the cliff. Solatorio said he saw Divinagracia pointing a gun at Amancio who ran away for his life.

As Amancio ran for safety, Divinagracia reportedly started shooting at Camay with one of his companions telling him to finish him off.

Amancio and Dumaboc sustained gunshot wounds during the ambush but fortunately survived while Solatorio, Rosagaran and Mejares were unhurt but suffered the trauma caused by the incident. — Fred P. Languido/WAB   (FREEMAN NEWS)