4 guards in Caloocan land clash surrender

MANILA, Philippines - At least four of seven security guards tagged in the killing of two men during a clash with around 300 residents of Pangarap Village in Caloocan City Saturday surrendered to the police yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Jude Santos, Caloocan City police chief, said Ferdinand Saludes, 43; Efren Lagumen, 47; Adrian King Pelaez, 28; and Noel Platino, 30, also surrendered their four 12-gauge shotguns.

Guard Michael Tome, identified earlier by police as one of those who allegedly shot at the protesters, as well as his colleagues, Macario Ramirez and Ricardo Margo, remain at large.

The detained guards denied shooting at the residents, noting that the firearms issued to them are shotguns. Northern Police District crime scene investigators recovered shells for M14 and M16 rifles and a shell for a .9mm pistol at the site of the clash.

“We did not fire any at the residents, and our weapons were 12-gauge shotguns, not M14 or M16,” one of them told The STAR yesterday. But when pressed for more comments, the guards said they will consult their lawyer first.

At around 6 a.m. Saturday, 300 residents of Pangarap Village marched toward the office of Carmel Development Inc., the firm tasked to develop the property. The residents reportedly attacked the guards when the latter allegedly destroyed their placards and banners.

The besieged guards reportedly shot at the villagers, killing Solomon Gomez and Rommel Fortades and wounding Deosdado Cacal, Ricardo Calison, Godofredo Reyes, and Henry Abaygar.

Stray bullets hit a nearby police detachment and shattered its patrol car’s windshield.

Fortades’ widow, Suerte, said her husband and Gomez “died from fatal hits, which only a sniper could deliver.” She said her husband was first hit in the left leg, and a second bullet “shattered his head.” Gomez died from a gunshot wound in the chest.

Fortades’ elder sister, Martha, said the 500-square meter lot where her house stands in Pangarap Village was awarded to them in 1973 “complete with a title.” She said the dispute started in 1986 when the Araneta family allegedly tried to evict them from the 30-hectare property currently occupied by around 40,000 families.

“We are calling for justice and for concerned government agencies to look into our problem, for this atrocity against us would again happen in the near future,” Martha said.

Chief Inspector Rodrigo Soriano, city police investigation chief, said yesterday they will file murder charges against all seven guards after witnesses identified them as among those who allegedly shot at the demonstrators.

At least 20 police officers are securing the disputed property to avert a repeat of the fatal confrontation while city government officials and village leaders are conducting a dialogue with DCI officials for the peaceful solution of the dispute.