Businessman nabbed for 'shooting' at cop

CEBU, Philippines - A businessman was arrested after he allegedly fired at a policeman at Leyson Street, barangay Talamban at dawn yesterday.

The suspect was identified as Enrico Dionson, 50 years old, married and owner of a lechon business. He is a resident of Highway 77, barangay Talamban.

The victim was identified as PO2 Junbert Acosta, 29, who is presently assigned to Station 8 of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) in Talamban. The policeman is a resident of Hillside in Talamban.

According to investigators, Acosta left his residence and rode his motorcycle to respond to an alarm at Leyson Street. While he was on his way, he met the suspect, who was accompanied by another man and they blocked the path of the policeman.

The investigators said that Dionson accosted Acosta and asked if he was a companion of the person who stabbed the businessman’s nephew.

Acosta identified himself as a policeman and got off his motorcycle.

The suspect allegedly turned his back, but after a while he reportedly pulled out a handgun and fired at Acosta several times.

The policeman said that he was lucky enough to not have been hit and fired warning shots instead of firing at the suspect because there were other people in the area.

Responding policemen from the Special Weapons and Tactics team led by SPO2 Renante conducted a hot pursuit operation and arrested the suspect.

Pieces of evidence retrieved from the crime scene were a Suzuki motorcycle, a black helmet and 2 empty .45 caliber shells. 

In an interview with The Freeman, the suspect denied that the motorcycle belongs to him.

When asked about his side, he answered, “adto lang nya sa akong abogado pangutana kay mag atubang man mi ugma.”

PO2 Batucan in an interview with The Freeman, said they have to conduct an alcohol test on the suspect and a paraffin test on both parties. The Chief of the Homicide Section, Vicente Velasquez explained that an investigation to both parties will be conducted today.

Dionson is now under the custody of the CCPO.

Last May, Dionson was subject of a police operation for allegedly holding a cockfight in his place without permission. — Antoniette Parce/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)