Ex-cop convicted for double murder

CEBU, Philippines - For killing his in-laws in Barangay Apas four years ago, a former policeman and retired member of the Philippine Air Force was convicted and sentenced up to 92 years in jail.In her 25-page decision, Regional Trial Court Judge Estela Alma Singco of Branch 12 ruled if accused Nestor Bugarin claimed self-defense in shooting the victims, he should not have shot the victims several times.

“The location of the wounds suggested that the accused was at the back of the victim when the fatal wounds were inflicted,” the decision read.

Singco sentenced the accused to two counts of reclusion perpetua or 40 years to 80 years for two counts of murder and six years to 12 years for attempted murder.

He was also ordered to pay the family of the three victims up to P561,399.48 in damages.

Bugarin was accused of murder for killing his brother in-law Esmeraldo Pontanar, his father in-law Cristito Pontanar; and for attempted murder for trying to kill the wife of Esmeraldo, Maria Glen Pontanar.

In his testimony, Bugarin claimed self-defense when he shot the victims on May 30, 2008 at 8 p.m.

“When he saw Esmeraldo about to draw his gun, he pulled out his firearm and shot him first. Esmeraldo was thrown away from where he was standing. Esmeraldo was about to fall when he shot him again,” Bugarin’s testimony read.

Bugarin further said after Esmeraldo fell down, Cristito came out from the house, approached him and tried to slap him but missed.

When Cristito was about to approach his son who was lying on the ground, Bugarin shot Cristito. He said he was considering the fact that Esmeraldo had gun and Cristito was a soldier.

“I’d rather shoot Cristito, rather than wait being shot by the latter first,” he said.

Bugarin said he pointed a gun at the head of Esmeraldo’s son Paolo, then 14 years old, for throwing stones at him. He said he could have shot the latter in the head but he felt pity at him and only shot him in the abdomen.

In his cross-examination, Bugarin claimed the firearm used in killing the victims were unlicensed.            His testimony was corroborated by his wife Anecita. However, she admitted not witnessing her husband shooting her father Cristito.

For the prosecution, Maria Glen said her husband did not carry any gun.

She said they were on their way to the house of her parents-in-law to settle a dispute. They had not been on speaking terms for five years.

“Prior to the incident, Anecita was shouting that they owed a lot of money to them and that is why they were able to build a house. On their way to the house of her parents-in-law, Anecita kept on throwing sand and gravel at them,” her statement read.

She said her husband Esmeraldo pleaded with Anecita to stop but accused came out from their house and shot him. She was also hit in the thigh.

Maria Glen told the media she was very happy with the decision and thanked God.

“We all have been praying for this for four years. Hopefully all this hatred will stop. We don’t want to make enemies. And I hope this will be finally over. My family has continued to move on. In fact we have already forgiven the suspect and his family and others who betrayed us,” she said.

However, she said there is still a threat.

As for Bugarin, he faced the media with a smile.

“Wala akong dapat pagsisihan, sila ang dapat magsisisi, bakit gihilabtan nila ako? Kung hindi nila ako gihilabtan buhay pa sila hangtod karon yan ang masasabi ko,” he said.

He added as long he was still alive there was still hope.

“Pag buhay may pag-asa pero ang patay bulate na lang ang katapat nila diba! Sundalo gud ako tini-train ako para pumatay ng kaaway ng gobyerno hindi para patayin,” he said.

“Ang sabi ko nga hanggat buhay ako may pag-asa hanggat hindi kumilig ang aking mga kamay may pag-asa pa. Hanggat ako ang idol ng aking pamilya at ng aking anak hindi ako nawawalan ng pag-asa. Ang pinasukan ko ay may pintuan siguradong may labasan ‘yan,” he added.

— (FREEMAN)