Cop fires shot, hits nephew of Ted Ouano

CEBU, Philippines - A grandson of former Mandaue City Mayor Alfredo “Pedong” Ouano landed in the hospital after he was accidentally hit when a policeman fired his gun during a commotion at a gasoline station yesterday dawn in Barangay Labogon, Mandaue City.

PO2 Benjamin Clyde Yu, 34, a resident of Dona Rosario Village in Basak, Mandaue City, is now detained at the Basak Police Station.

Yu, assigned to the Operations Branch of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, voluntarily surrendered himself to responding policemen around 1:45 a.m.

PO2 Richie Ando of the Basak Police Station said Yu met with the victim, Adonis Icalina, 19, who was with his girlfriend and his 17-year-old brother, at the Caltex Gasoline Station along the national highway in Barangay Labogon.

Police investigation showed that Yu allegedly made fun of Adonis’ girlfriend by whistling at her, prompting his younger brother to punch him. A commotion ensued.

Yu alleged that the Icalina brothers took turns in punching him, hitting him in the mouth, left face and back even if he already identified himself as a policeman.

To stop them, Yu reportedly took his .9mm berretta from his waist, fired a warning shot and hurriedly left the area, without knowing he hit Adonis in the foot.

The victim was immediately brought to the Mandaue City Hospital.

CPPO director Senior Superintendent Erson Digal visited Yu in his detention cell to inquire about the incident.

Digal, who arrived from Manila yesterday, said Yu told him that he just came from his duty when the incident happened.

Since he was still in his police uniform, Yu told Digal he went home to change his clothes and went to the Caltex Gasoline Station’s Starmart to eat.

Few minutes later, the Icalina siblings arrived together with the woman.

Yu alleged he was then surprised why the siblings immediately pounced on him despite identifying himself as a policeman.

He claimed he fired a warning shot and then walked towards home, without knowing that he already hit Adonis.

Yu also denied claims that he made fun of Adonis’ girlfriend.

Digal said he verified the result of the liquor test conducted on Yu and on Adonis’ younger. He said Yu tested negative while the younger Icalina tested positive.

No liquor test has been conducted on Adonis as he was already brought to the hospital.

Digal explained that even if the Basak Police Station is investigating Yu, he would also task the Provincial Investigation Bureau to conduct its own investigation.

The CPPO director added that if Yu had committed lapses, he will face administrative sanctions.

Basilisa Ouano-Icalina, daughter of the former mayor, told The FREEMAN that Adonis was just drinking with his girlfriend and his younger brother when the incident happened.

“Niingon akong anak (the younger brother) nga gibugal-bugalan daw sa pulis ang uyab sa iyang maguwang. Unya iyahang gi-confront ang pulis. Then naglalis unya nasumbagan gyud sa mata ang akong anak,” said Basilisa, a barangay councilor of Opao.

Basilisa, the younger sister of former Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo “Teddy” Ouano, said that Adonis just wanted to pacify the fight but Yu took out his pistol.

“Nibuto g’yud daw og kaduha ang pusil unya ang usa ka bala naigo sa left foot ni Adonis,” Basilisa said.

She said Adonis undergone operation at Perpetual Succour Hospital yesterday and is now in a stable condition.

She said they would be filing several charges, including a case for violation of gun ban, against the policeman on Monday.

Basilisa stressed that his sons were young and unarmed unlike the policeman who was carrying a gun during a gun ban period.

 “My children are not known nga mangita og away. Mga buotan intawon na akong mga anak,” the mother said. -/LPM  (THE FREEMAN)