Guard faces murder raps for death of British boss

CEBU, Philippines - A security guard who reportedly killed his British employer Saturday evening in Malapascua Island, Daanbantayan was indicted by the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor's Office for murder.

State prosecutor Rustom Presas has elevated to the court the complaint against Melchor Alciso Jr. after the suspect waived his right to a preliminary investigation.

Alciso, 42, resident of Cabulisan, Hinunduyan, Southern Leyte, opted to answer the case directly in court. No bail was recommended for Alciso's temporary liberty.

The Daanbantayan police yesterday filed the complaint for murder against Alciso over the killing of Anthony Gilchrist, 34, owner and manager of Fish Buddies Dive Shop Resort.

The police said the crime was premeditated and the accused had the intention to kill the victim as shown in the number of  bullets fired from his .38 revolver.

"There is intent to kill on the part of the security guard. We have witness to prove the same," police investigators said.

Alciso fired all six bullets of his service firearm at the victim causing the latter's instantaneous death.

Edison Salazar, 20, another employee of the victim, said he witnessed the shooting incident. According to Salazar, the accused arrived 40 minutes late for his work, prompting the victim to scold him.

"He (accused) was berated by our manager because he reported for work late and drunk," Salazar said.

In an interview with the media, Alciso admitted killing his employer and regretted it because he has three children to feed. According to Alciso, he raises his three children, aged 15, 14, and 10, alone after his wife died of thyroid disease in 2010.

"Wa na g'yud ko kaagwanaa sa iyaha, gamay'ng sayop nako kasab-an ko, grabing mangasaba nako parihason na lang ka’g iro," he added.

He, however, said that it was not his intention to kill his employer. According to him, he only tried to defend himself because the victim tried to kick him.

British honorary Consul in Cebu, Tamsin Booth, has arranged the repatriation of the victim.

Chief Inspector Randy Naval, Daanbantayan police chief, said that consul has already coordinated with them.

Naval also admitted that the incident has scared some of the tourists in the area.

"Naka-create og alarm kay naa may activity ato sa resorts nearby unya kalit man ang buto sunod-sunod gyud. Naglumba ang mga tawo og sulod sa ilang mga kwarto unya nahunong ang activity," Naval said.

This, however, would not affect the tourism in the area as the police coordinated with the resort managers to help them explain the incident to their guests.

Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro said that they cannot prevent what the tourists would think about what happened but they are showing them that the case will be investigated by the police.

"Giangkon man sad sa guard ang nahitabo unya ang Provincial Board moadto gyud pud aron sa pagtan-aw sa area," Corro said in a phone interview.

Non-lethal weapons

Meanwhile, the Capitol is studying the proposal to allow only non-lethal weapons for security guards detailed in tourism areas.

 Vice Governor Agnes Magpale who heads the committee on tourism in the Provincial Board said they still have to consult other stakeholders regarding the change of policy.

 "We still have to assess that unsa'y mahimo, we have to consult many people," Magpale said.

 The matter was brought up by Gary Cases, owner of Divelink Cebu which has also a shop in Malapascua Island, saying that guards in tourism areas should use non-lethal weapons like stun guns to prevent the unnecessary loss of life.

The same concern was also brought up by a foreigner who is also operating a resort in Malapascua Island but asked for anonymity.

"Problem in Malapascua is also the many guards wearing a gun. That is dangerous to tourist also," he told The FREEMAN.

 He suggested guards should wear only "gas guns, gas spray or electro shocker/teaser" and not real guns.

 "It's not the first time that something like that happened in Malapascua. We all are feared about the security guards on Malapascua," he lamented.

 Magpale said the province is coordinating with the local government of Daanbantayan to adopt measures to prevent such incident.  (FREEMAN)