Ex-policeman charged for death of enforcer

CEBU, Philippines - At 11:45 a.m. yesterday, the Homicide Police lodged a case for murder and for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office against Geoffrey Borinaga, the former policeman accused of killing a traffic enforcer.

Upon inquest proceeding before Prosecutor Jose Nathaniel Andal for the murder case and Prosecutor Anna Lou Fernandez-Cavada for the illegal possession of marijuana, Borinaga waived his right to undergo preliminary investigation and instead manifested to face the charges in court.

Borinaga refused to give any comment to media. He was dismissed from police service in 2008 for being absent without official leave (AWOL) after he was found positive of using illegal drugs. His last assignment was with the Police Regional Office.

On Thursday at past 7:00 a.m. while 47-year-old Armando Daligdig was manning the traffic along Governor Cuenco Avenue in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City, he was shot and killed by Borinaga based on the accounts of the witnesses.

Daligdig, a resident of Barangay Budlaan, Cebu City sustained three gunshot wounds on his head and chest. PNP medico-legal officer Dr. Nestor Sator earlier said a bullet hit the victim’s heart which caused his immediate death.

Borinaga was arrested about five hours after the shooting incident.

During the inquest, Andal told Borinaga that a security guard, the eye witness of the prosecution, saw him shot the victim. Borinaga, however, replied, “no comment” and that he will answer the charges in court.

Headed by Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Acting Director Mariano Natu-el Jr., policemen went to the apartment of Borinaga in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City where Borinaga was informed of his rights and his offense before arrested. The police saw in Borinaga’s house a .45 caliber pistol with seven ammunitions and camouflage shirt, brown cargo pants, white shoes and a bull cap.

These items recovered in Borinaga’s house matched the description of the gunman’s clothes.

An emotional Mary Rose, wife of Daligdig, faced the media.

“He was a God-fearing man, friendly and very supportive to his family…and I couldn’t believe he’s dead now,” she said.

With the filing of case, Mary Rose, 42, thanked the authorities and Mayor Michael Rama who supported them. Mary Rose has two daughters aged 14 and 8.

It was Edna Baterna, their neighbor, who informed Mary Rose of the incident. Mary Rose was working at a school canteen at that time.

Mary Rose said her daughters are in trauma. Inside the police office, she was in tears as she confronted Borinaga.

The burial will be on June 15, 2013.  (FREEMAN)