Cop who shot guard charged

The Camp Crame-based policeman who shot dead a security guard of the De La Salle University in Taft Avenue, Manila last Tuesday allegedly over a parking row, is now facing homicide charges.

According to Western Police District Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief, Superintendent Federico Castro, suspect Police Officer 3 Allan Biol, 35, was positively identified by witnesses as the one who allegedly shot dead Edgar de Guzman, 42, near the De La Salle University.

"He was positively identified in a police lineup. We will also be conducting a ballistic test on the caliber .45 pistol he surrendered," said Castro. "He (Biol) told us that he was merely defending himself when he shot De Guzman."

Initial police investigation showed that Biol, detailed with the Police Security and Protection Office, and a resident of 56 Sampaloc St., Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City, was at the university to fetch a son or a daughter of the man he was securing, reportedly the owner of a toothpaste firm about 4:50 p.m. when the incident happened.

According to police, Biol was parking a Nissan Terrano van with plate number WEN-329 near one of the gates of the school when he was approached by the victim.

Police said the victim allegedly told the suspect that he could not park his van at the spot and asked that he park elsewhere.

This allegedly sparked an argument between the security guard and the police officer.

Police said that at the height of the argument, Biol allegedly pulled out a caliber .45 pistol and shot the victim several times in the head and the body.

De Guzman was declared dead on arrival at the Ospital ng Maynila while Biol fled on foot after the incident. He was later surrendered by his mother unit to the Western Police District. – Mike Frialde