Guard who killed German charged

CEBU, Philippines -  A security guard is facing charges before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor's Office for allegedly killing a German national in Alcoy.

Jerome Niere, 38, of El Prado, Boljoon town and a security guard of Sola Homes Subdivision in the town's Barangay Guiwang, is charged for murder for shooting to death Hans Jurgen Hesse, 60.

During the inquest proceeding, Niere told state prosecutor Ethel Miel that he will avail of his right to preliminary investigation to answer the allegations filed against him.

The court granted Niere seven days to file his counter-affidavit.

Niere, in an earlier interview, said that he shot Hesse on May 8 after mistaking him for a robber.

The respondent said he allegedly saw the German pulled out something from his waistline, though he could not ascertain if the foreigner indeed had a firearm.

Hesse was reportedly wearing a dark jacket with a hood and was running away from the back of the subdivision's retirement village office when he ran into Niere and his companion Jerry Carulasan, also a security guard.

The victim, who was hit on the chest and forehead, was taken to Dr. Ildefonso Alcantara Memorial Hospital in Dalaguete town but attending doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.

Niere reportedly "ran off" after the incident leaving his service firearm, while Carulasan surrendered and turned over his service firearm to the police.

Carulasan was eventually released from police custody after executing an affidavit on the incident.

Police arrested Niere after some 10 hours of chasing him in the mountain barangay of Nangka, Boljoon, his hometown.  (FREEMAN)