Policewoman cries ‘overkill’ in death of lover who killed her mom, brother

CEBU, Philippines - The death of two members of her family after being shot by her lesbian lover seemed to go unnoticed by Police Officer 1 Rosalie Cuario, who instead sympathized with the suspect by accusing responding colleagues of “overkill.”

This statement surprised the Calape, Bohol policemen who responded to the killing of Cuario’s relatives last Wednesday.

Senior Inspector Cresente Gurrea, Calape Police Station chief, said they first learned about Cuario’s statement through a newspaper in Bohol.

Cuario allegedly told reporters that she really felt that Maricel Ramos, her lesbian girlfriend, was killed even when she was about to surrender.

“Nakuratan gyud mi diri ug ang BPPO (Bohol Provincial Police Office) personnel pagkahibawo namo nga niingon siya ana,” said Gurrea.

He said even Senior Superintendent Dennis Agustin, BPPO director, was present when they tried to negotiate with Ramos, who instead fired at them.

Gurrea said what his personnel did was just appropriate considering that Ramos went wild and had to be subdued.

“Hunahunaon sad nimo ba, ang iyang (Cuario’s) inahan ug mga igsuon, gipangpusil na niya (Ramos). So kung dili mobuhat og paagi para mahunong siya, basin og naa pa siya’y lain nga nabiktima ato,” said Gurrea.

He also said that the way they neutralized Ramos was definitely not overkill because she only suffered two gunshot wounds.

He said the purpose of the policemen returning fire at Ramos was only to subdue her. However, she was hit in the head and the right check that caused her death.

“Kung gi-overkill pa to, gikadaghanan pa unta to siya og pusil,” Gurrea said.

Ramos shot Cuario’s mother Rosita and the policewoman’s brothers Joel and Vicente Wednesday night in a fit of jealousy.

Rosita and Joel died on the spot while Vicente was rushed to the hospital and survived.

Ramos went to the house of the victims in Purok 1, Barangay Ulbujan, Calape past 6 p.m. Wednesday to look for Cuario, and shot the victims when told the policewoman was not there.

After shooting the victims, Ramos went home to Barangay Liboron, where the responding policemen caught up with her. During the negotiation for her surrender, Ramos allegedly fired at the policemen, who returned fire and killed her.

Gurrea said that having been assigned at the Calape Police Station for more than one week yet, he still had to meet Cuario personally since she was also detailed in Cebu for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress upon his assumption as Calape police chief.

He told The FREEMAN last night that as directed by higher headquarters, they are going to conduct an investigation on Cuario on the gun Ramos used in the crime.

The gun allegedly came from Cuario after she won it during a contest at the Bohol Police Provincial Office.

Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, Police Regional Office-7 deputy regional director for operations, also said they will ask a report from Gurrea in relation to the overkill allegation and they would also hear Cuario’s side.

Gurrea said they were ready to face any investigation about the incident.

Lawas further said he wants to know if the gun given by Cuario to Ramos is licensed.  (FREEMAN)