Accused in teacher's slay faces gun raps

CEBU, Philippines - Charges of illegal possession of firearms and violation of the Commission on Elections gun ban have already been elevated to the Regional Trial Court yesterday against one of the suspects eyed in the murder of a teacher in Argao town last February 10.

A bail of P80,000 and P60,000 have been recommended for the temporary liberty of Joel Navarro Alforque, also known as “Chulip”, for his charges of illegal possession of firearms and violation of the Comelec gun ban, respectively.

Alforque was one of the four men accused of killing teacher Romeo Aguire Duran inside his classroom while the latter held an examination.

Upon his arrest, Alforque voluntarily offered information relative to the killing but disowned participation in the crime. He said that he never knew what happened but only drove the three other suspects to Carcar because they forced him to do so.

During the arrest, police was able to confiscate a .358 revolver from Alforque who was not able to produce documents.

In an interview, he said that he carried the gun for protection against his enemies but denied he used it to kill Duran.

Charges of murder has already been filed against Alforque, Arnel Cabungcal of Barangay Awayan, Carcar, Marcelo Navares of Barangay Zaragosa, Aloguinsan and Jiffy Cavan of Barangay Rosario, Aloguinsan, all of whom are accused in the killing Duran, a resident of Barangay Binlod, Argao.

The murder charge is still pending before the provincial prosecutor’s office.

One of the witnesses, in an affidavit, said that Duran was sitting on a green chair holding a test paper when a man person entered the classroom. The witness said that they stood up and greeted the visitor who in turn also said “good afternoon sir” to Duran.

When Duran asked inquired about his business the man, who was later identified as Cabungcal, suddenly pulled out a gun from his waist and shot the teacher.

Duran slumped on the table as Cabungcal then fled and ran towards the cornfield located behind the school.

Cabungcal was identified through a gallery shown to one of the witnesses interviewed.   — Jasmin U. Labaco/BRP   (FREEMAN NEWS)