Town ABC head sued over injury to two people

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas has filed a criminal case of reckless imprudence resulting to less serious physical injuries against the Association of Barangay Councils President of Minglanilla town.

The anti-graft office refiled the case yesterday against Ward III barangay captain Ramsi Sayson before the Regional Trial Court in Cebu City following its dismissal by the Municipal Trial Court in Minglanilla for lack of jurisdiction.

Sayson, an ex-officio member of the Municipal Council, was indicted for violation of the Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code after the National Bureau of Investigation found probable cause to file criminal complaint against him.

The NBI had earlier filed the complaint against Sayson after he accidentally shot and injured two people while pursuing a criminal who had just killed a disco goer on August 13, 2005.

Sayson was then responding to a shooting incident that killed a certain Ivan dela Calzada at the town’s public plaza.

The official was pursuing the suspect, Arthur Lariosa, and fired his gun towards the latter unmindful of the presence of the other civilians who are in the area.

Sayson’s alleged indiscriminate firing resulted to the injuries of Edmar Basnillo and Jade Laurente.

The anti-graft office found that Sayson have been “negligent, reckless” and failed to exercise the necessary precaution in using his firearm considering that he was in the public plaza.

The ombudsman has recommended P4,000 bail for his temporary liberty. — Fred P. Languido/WAB   (FREEMAN NEWS)