Fiscal files countercharges in parking row

MANILA, Philippines - A state prosecutor filed countercharges before the Quezon City prosecutor’s office yesterday against a salesman who had accused him of shooting at his car during an argument over parking Thursday night.

Assistant State Prosecutor John Resado filed charges of grave threats, alarm and scandal, discharge of firearms and attempted homicide against Carlo Gaw Lim, saying they figured in a shouting match and grappled for Resado’s gun following a misunderstanding over a parking space in a compound along Ilagan street in Barangay Paltok.

Lim earlier told police investigators that he was visiting his girlfriend, Kathleen Bautista, a daughter of Resado’s landlady, when Resado arrived and told him to move his car.

Lim said he did so, but told Resado that the Bautista family allowed him to park there. Resado allegedly drew his gun and shot at the passenger side of Lim’s car twice.

In a five-page complaint affidavit, Resado alleged that when he arrived in the area and was about to park his car in the compound, Lim’s car was parked in front of his rented house, blocking the driveway.

He said he approached Lim and asked him to move the vehicle out of the driveway so that he can properly park his own car. Resado said Lim reportedly shouted and cursed at him, and upon seeing his gun tucked in his waistband, tried to grab the firearm.

Resado alleged that they grappled for the gun, which went off and hit Lim’s car twice. He said when he finally got hold of the gun, he decided to drive away to avoid Lim and his violent mood.

Resado was accused two years ago of accepting a bribe after he dismissed drug charges filed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency against three drug suspects collectively known as the “Alabang Boys.”