Rift among cops triggers shooting

CEBU, Philippines - A shooting incident involving an airport policeman and his supervisor occurred inside the security and safety office of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Thursday evening.

Wounded and confined at the Mactan Doctors Hospital is Airport Cpl. Esmeraldo Bensi, a resident of Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City.

The suspects were identified as Airport Capt. Charito Alvarez, 50, of Barangay Pajac and designated as airport supervisor and his cousin, Airport Lt. Pio Alvarez, 47, of Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City.

The two are detained at the Lapu-Lapu City Jail awaiting the filing of formal charges against them.

Initial investigation conducted by the Lapu-Lapu City Police investigators disclosed that at around 9 p.m. Thursday, Bensi confronted Charito and Pio Alvarez over his performance rating.

Bensi blamed both Charito and Pio for his performance rating since Charito is the airport supervisor. Unable to control his anger, Bensi allegedly shot Charito using his .45 cal. pistol but missed.

Charito fought back by using his .45 service firearm to hit Benzi on the neck, stomach and back.

The suspects surrendered to their superiors after the incident.

Benzi was rushed by his companions to the hospital where he is still under observation by the attending physicians.

Lapu-Lapu Police investigators said they invited some witnesses to shed light on the said shooting incident. (FREEMAN)