Labra: Ronron Go fired at policemen

CEBU, Philippines - In the continuation of the murder case against controversial policeman Adonis Dumpit, his colleague testified in court that a shootout occurred between authorities and robbery suspect Ronron Go last December 14, 2004.

Dumpit is facing charges for shooting Go to death in Villagonzalo II.

Police Supt. Paul Labra testified before Judge Ester Veloso of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 6 after he was issued a subpoena to shed light on the December 14 incident.

Labra said that prior to the shootout, they received an intelligence report about Go’s illegal activities. The intelligence report tagged Go as a “notorious robber” and that Go and some companions figured in two robbery incidents morning on that day and even used firearms. Go’s mother, Janeth Badana, had denied that her son was involved in illegal activities.

Intelligence reports also led them to Go later in the day, which eventually ended in a chase in Villagonzalo II.   Prosecutors said only two gunshots were heard, but Labra said yesterday he heard about four to five gunshots at that time. This would reportedly prove that a shootout happened.

Defense lawyer Benjamin Militar said Labra was in the area when the shooting incident happened.

The defense will be presenting one of Go’s robbery victims in the next hearing of the case, he said.

“We will present the victim of Go on December 14 robbery incident to prove that Go was armed with gun when he was chased by Dumpit,” he said. — (FREEMAN)