Homicide case to be filed today vs councilman Zabate

CEBU, Philippines —  The family of a 33-year-old man who was shot dead by Sawang Calero barangay councilman Benjamin Zabate is set to file charges against the latter today.

Police Major Eduard Sanchez, chief of Sawang Calero Police Station, said that the mother of Albert Rafols expressed her willingness to file charges against Zabate.

Sanchez said a case of homicide will be filed against the suspect today.

Meanwhile, Sawang Calero barangay captain Sergio Ocaña said they are waiting for the action of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) now that the councilor is in prison.

Sanchez said that Zabate was prompted to shot the victim due to personal grudge that started long time ago.

"Personal grudge (ang reason) unya dugay nana sila nagbikil. Unya based sa atong record, ang biktima usahay gud kanang badlongon ba," he said.

Sanchez stressed that they will also look if Rafols was considered as a drug personality.

He further said that they found it hard to determine whether the victim was mauled by Zabate months ago prior to the shooting incident considering that they received no complaints regarding the incident.

"Kun moingon ta nga adunay deperensya sa utok (ang biktima), maglisud ta pag-prove ana. Wala man sad nakahisgut ang suspect ug ang ginikanan mismo sa biktima nga duna ni deperensya sa utok," he added.

There were rumors that the victim allegedly has mental disorder and that he was mauled by the suspect months ago.

Rafols was killed by Zabate on Sunday afternoon after having a heated argument along Magsaysay Extension in the barangay.

He sustained a gunshot wound to his chest and was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.

Zabate was arrested by the police few hours after the incident in a hot pursuit operation in the neighboring barangay of Suba, Cebu City. — GMR (FREEMAN)