3 charges readied vs cop who shot pal

CEBU, Philippines - At least three criminal charges are being prepared by the Mandaue City Police Office against a policeman who killed his neighbor during a drinking session last Sunday.

Investigative and Detective Management Bureau chief Michael Bastes said they will be filing criminal complaints for murder, reckless imprudence resulting to physical injuries and grave misconduct against Police Officer 2 Rosendo Cabrera.

Cabrera, who has been in the police service for 22 years, killed his neighbor Remedios Iran during a drinking session in Barangay Tabok, Mandaue City. A misunderstanding occurred between the two in the middle of their drinking session resulting in the tragic end of their friendship.

The incident started with Iran calling Cabrera a worthless cop. According to Bastes, Cabrera admitted to him that he fired all six bullets in his magazine.

The suspect said he was supposed to shoot himself after killing Iran but his firearm did not have bullets anymore.

"Napungot lagi daw ang suspect nga gibugalbugalan siya sa dihang nag-inom sila ug giingnan nga wa daw siyay pulos nga pagka-pulis (the suspect allegedly got irked when the victim made fun of him and called him a worthless cop)," Bastes said.

Iran's wife, Rufina, denied that her husband was making fun of the suspect. Rufina said there were people around during the incident who can attest that her husband did not provoke the suspect.

Rufina said that the two were watching television while having a drinking session when they were able to talk about the status of the lot that they are occupying now. She said they are just renting the lot including the suspect.

"Basta igo ra man tong ni-ingon akong bana willing man mi mobayad kon naay dokumento apan nasuko naman nuon to siya, mao man dyud na siya manghasi ug magsige og panion basta mahubog (my husband only said that we are willing to pay if there is document but the (suspect) got mad instead. He is really like that, if he is drank he will harass us and point his firearm at us)"Rufina said.

Bastes assured the wife of the victim that the investigation will be fair even if the suspect is a policeman. In fact, Bastes said they will be filing murder instead of homicide because Cabrera did not kill the victim to defend himself.

Bastes likewise said that Cabrera will not receive any special treatment while in detention at the Basak Police Station pending the filing of the complaint before the prosecutor's office.

Police Regional Office - 7 director Marcelo Garbo Jr. vowed that Cabrera will be dismissed from service should he be found guilty of the crime.

"What ever his (Cabrera) summary officers would decide, I will approve," he said.  (FREEMAN)