Cop charged for shooting rape suspect

CEBU, Philippines - Another police officer is in hot water after he was charged with frustrated homicide before the Regional Trial Court yesterday for shooting and injuring a rape suspect three years ago.

PO3 Porferio Lim of the Cebu City Police Office allegedly shot thrice Anselmo Abaño while the police officer was trying to arrest the latter for the crime of rape.

In his complaint, Abaño alleged that on December 11, 2006, while he was on his way to his brother’s house in Talisay City, he saw Lim already pointing a gun at him. Out of fear, he ran away but Lim chased him and was quick enough that he was cornered and was shot thrice.

But in his counter affidavit, the policeman said that Abaño is accused of rape at the woman’s desk which is why he was arresting him.

Lim explained it was his professional duty to immediately arrest Abaño as he had an idea on the identity of the suspect.

When he saw Abaño, Lim claimed he announced that he was a police officer and told him that he was under arrest but the suspect allegedly evaded and ran away prompting him to fire his service gun to stop him. But Abaño allegedly continued running which made him fire another shots.

The police officer denied the allegation of Abaño that he pointed his firearm at him while he introduced himself as a police officer. He only drew his gun when the suspect ran to evaded arrest.

However, Prosecutor William Canta said that upon fair and impartial evaluation of the respective allegations of both parties, “there exists probable cause to indict the respondent of the crime.”

“It appeared that the respondent was pursuing the complainant top effect the arrest regarding the incident of rape wherein the herein complainant is the respondent against the complaint filed by a relative of Lim,” Canta explained.

Canta added that Lim exceeded the manner by which he was implementing the arrest when he fired at the complainant and hit him at a vital part of his body. — Jasmin U. Labaco/WAB    (FREEMAN NEWS)