Man charged for stealing policewoman's gun

CEBU, Philippines - A jobless man was charged in court for allegedly stealing the firearm of a policewoman assigned in the Theft and Robbery Section of the Talisay City Police Station in Talisay City, Cebu.

Ruben Ong, 37, a resident of barangay Mambaling, Cebu City is facing a theft case before the Regional Trial Court for stealing the 9mm pistol of PO1 Jubilee Catan, whose boyfriend was reported to have shot himself out of jealousy.

Cebu City Prosecutor Liceria Rabillas recommended a bail bond of P20,000 for Ong. Catan said that on January 5, 2011 at around 7:45 a.m., she went to her rented room at sitio Roma Cross N. Bacalso Exit, barangay Mambaling, Cebu.

She knocked on the door and her boyfriend, Elgib Tio, opened the door then stepped back, already holding Catan’s firearm. Tio was pointing the gun to his head. Catan said she shouted for Tio not to do it but the gun went off and he stumbled to the bed, blood oozing from his head.

The gun was thrown near the plastic cabinet.

Catan said she shouted for help. Her neighbors took her boyfriend to the hospital for medical treatment.

At around 9:45 a.m. of the same day, personnel from the Homicide Section of the Cebu City Police Office came and asked where the firearm was. She replied that it was at their room.

The homicide section searched for her firearm that was used by her boyfriend in committing suicide but it was not recovered.

Catan went to the Homicide Section and asked for assistance so she can check the people who assisted her during the incident.

Ong allegedly confided to Catan that he took the firearm purposely for safekeeping.

Upon Ong’s confession, Geronimo escorted the latter to locate the firearm, which was placed in the canal covered with grass. Its magazine was already removed.    (FREEMAN NEWS)