Raps filed vs vendor slayer

The Makati City police filed a case of homicide against a policeman involved in sidewalk clearing operations yesterday for the killing of a vendor along EDSA last Tuesday.

SPO2 Sabado Pujeda, a member of the Philippine National Police-Traffic Enforcement Group (PNP-TEG) that escorted a group of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) operatives, shot and killed Iladio Tuacar after the latter allegedly drew a gun and fired at the clearing team.

Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay said he has ordered the police to conduct a thorough investigation of the incident after receiving reports that the TEG man violated the rules of engagement.

"Check all reports to determine the exact circumstances that led to the shooting of Tuacar," Binay said.

The victim’s wife, Delia Tuacar, who was at the prosecutor’s office yesterday for the filing of charges against the police officer said that what happened to her husband was "unjustifiable."

Traveling all the way from Camarines Norte after being informed of the incident, Delia cited the accounts of the vendors at the EDSA Mantrade area, where the clearing and shooting incident took place.

Vendors claimed that after Tuacar’s carriage was confiscated, the victim went to an MMDA truck to try and retrieve his goods, but was struck by one MMDA operative.

As he got up, he pulled out his gun and fired a warning shot in the air. At this point, Pujeda pulled out his service firearm and fired four times at Tuacar.

Tuacar was rushed by the MMDA Rescue Team to the Ospital ng Makati but died while he was being treated.

Pujeda earlier claimed he fired in self defense, saying the vendor was firing at his direction.

Delia could not explain why her husband carried a gun, but was able to present documents, including a recently renewed firearm license.

According to Tuacar’s sister-in-law, the victim used to be a construction worker until he became physically unfit to perform his duties.

He then turned to selling cigarettes and candies at the EDSA Mantrade area near his home at a squatters area in Barangay Bangkal, Makati City.

Tuacar, 58, remained a vendor for almost 15 years to support his wife and seven children.

Members of the Makati City police claimed Tuacar was previously charged in 1998 for shooting a burglar inside his home.

He reportedly has a pending case of frustrated homicide at the Makati Regional Trial Court.