Tanod who shot actor dead pleads 'not guilty'

CEBU, Philippines - The barangay tanod who shot dead a local actor in the middle of a movie shoot in Barangay Parian more than two months ago pleaded not guilty to the murder charge against him.

Accused Edgardo Cuizon entered his plea during the arraignment yesterday just after Judge Estela Alma Singco denied his motion to downgrade the case to homicide. Singco also denied his request to be transferred to the detention cell of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

Cuizon is currently detained at the Cebu City Jail.

Nicholas Abella, father of victim Kirk Abella, described Cuizon’s plea as “ridiculous,” insisting that Cuizon already knew that a film was being shot when he fired his gun.

“How can it be? Many security personnel have been deployed in the area and the accused was informed that there was a film shoot in the area, but he went there carrying a hand gun and killed Kirk,” the father said.

Prosecution lawyer Democrito Barcenas said they will present five witnesses to prove Cuizon’s guilt, including Abella’s fellow actors who were in the area on October 30, 2010.

The FREEMAN tried to get the side of the accused, but Cuizon refused to issue a comment.

Abella was a resident of Barangay Punta Princesa and was acting for a film entitled “Going Somewhere” produced by Alan Lyddiard Films based in London, United Kingdom.

Abella was playing the role of an assassin and was wearing a bonnet to cover his face and armed with a toy gun when Cuizon shot him.

Cuizon said earlier he thought Abella was out to shoot someone for real.   (FREEMAN NEWS)