CEBU, Philippines - The Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) has issued warrant of arrest against defeated mayoralty candidate Efren Guntrano Gica and brother, Sima barangay captain Erwin Gica, for allegedly shooting Lou Oliver Garcia, the nephew of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia.
MCTC Judge Anacleto Debalucos issued on May 19, 2011 the warrant of arrest and has recommended a bail of P12,000 for the temporary liberty of each of the accused while the case of attempted homicide is heard.
Senior Police Officer 2 Florencio Clarion of the Dumanjug Police Station said the warrant was received by PO1 Dan Villabar yesterday morning and they are going to serve it today.
Lou Oliver, who works at the Capitol, said the accused already posted bail yesterday.
Efren, also known as “Gun-gun”, was then a town councilor of Dumanjug when the incident happened but lost to Nelson in the mayoralty race on May 10, 2010.
The police filed cases against Efren and his brother Erwin, also known as “Wado” for allegedly beating up a youth leader and shooting a nephew of the Garcias.
The police found four witnesses who executed affidavits identifying Efren as the one who beat up Fulton Francis Riconalla. Erwin was allegedly the one who shot Lou Oliver in the shoulder on May 11, 2010.
The police filed a physical injuries case against Efren and a frustrated homicide case against Erwin.
Police said the incident started when Lou’s cousin, Riconalla, then Sangguniang Kabataan chairman of Barangay Tapon, attended the benefit dance at a gym in Barangay Ilaya. The dance was organized by the SK.
In the middle of the dance at about 2 a.m., Efren reportedly appeared and allegedly slapped and boxed Riconalla. Riconalla ran out of the gym and bumped into Lou.
Lou reportedly tried to calm Riconalla down, but Erwin appeared and fired shots, hitting Lou on his left arm.
Lou was rushed to the Barili District Hospital and then transferred to the Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu City. Wado reportedly fled right after the incident. (FREEMAN)