“Ex-con” shot dead by SWAT member

CEBU, Philippines - A member of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) of the Cebu City Police Office shot dead an alleged ex-convict in sitio Motra, Barangay Tisa, last Thursday.

SWAT’s SPO2 Reynante Nioda was reportedly forced to shoot Rasdie Ivan Omar, 25, who allegedly tried to shoot him first.

Investigation conducted by the Homicide Section revealed that, Nioda, a resident of the said place, was in his house when his neighbors came and reported that an armed man with two companions roamed around and went inside an abandoned house nearby.

Nioda, who was off-duty that time, called for back-up from the SWAT and the Motorcycle Response Unit (MRU) and proceeded to the fenced abandoned house where he caught the three men having a pot session.

The policeman approached Omar and introduced himself as a law enforcer.

However, Omar allegedly pulled a gun from his waistline but Nioda was quick to hold his hand.

Using his other hand, Omar pulled out a hard object and struck the policeman’s mouth. The object, which turned out to be a fragmentation grenade, luckily did not explode.

Sensing danger, the police officer shot Omar.

Omar died of multiple gunshot wounds on the chest.  His unidentified companions escaped.

The back-up from SWAT and MRU arrived and was told by Nioda to call the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation, who later assessed Omar as already dead.

SWAT’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) secured the grenade they retrieved beside the body.

Police also recovered from the crime scene a caliber .357 homemade revolver with 3 misfired bullets, which Omar reportedly owned.

They further recovered a plastic pack believed to contain shabu, drug paraphernalia and a cellular phone from the abandoned house.

Nioda said he only acted in self-defense and also to neutralize Omar.

Violango said Omar was a resident of A. Lopez St., Barangay Labangon, and was allegedly known as a toughie in their place.

According to Violango, Omar’s father said his son was an ex-convict, but didn’t clarify what the case was. The parents allegedly also knew that their son used illegal drugs.

Violango said they are waiting for the decision of Omar’s parents whether or not they will file charges against Nioda.

Supt. Arnel Banzon, CCPO officer-in-charge said Nioda did a legitimate operation.

“Gipangayuan man siya og tabang ug iyang girespondehan, so it was a legitimate operation. (He was asked to help and he responded),” Banzon said.

Banzon added that they took Nioda’s issued firearm, a Glock 9mm that he used in shooting Omar, pending investigation by the Homicide Section. (FREEMAN)