CSA employee testifies in gun-poking case

MANILA, Philippines - An assistant liaison officer of Colegio San Agustin (CSA) was presented by prosecution lawyers as their first witness in the trial of a man accused of poking a gun at a high school student in the school’s faculty room two years ago.

Jennifer Duma took the witness stand at the Makati Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 64. She admitted during questioning by defense lawyer Dominic Balane having executed a narrative report dated Aug. 30, 2012 – the day the alleged gun-poking incident allegedly happened – and a judicial affidavit dated Nov. 7, 2013.

In her judicial affidavit, Duma said she saw the accused, Allan Bantiles, pull out a “silver-colored” gun from a sling bag carried by his companion as he was talking to student Jesus Manuel Garcia at the receiving area of the CSA high school faculty room at around 11 a.m.

Garcia alleged that Bantiles slapped him and pointed a .45 caliber pistol at his head.

Garcia had earlier admitted to stabbing Bantiles’ son with a ballpen after he could no longer stand the alleged constant bullying by the suspect’s son and another classmate. Bantiles was summoned by school officials after Garcia lashed out.

Bantiles, who pleaded not guilty to a charge of grave threat, was not present in yesterday afternoon’s hearing.

In her affidavit, Duma said she saw Bantiles point the gun at Garcia until the suspect and his companion was pacified by other teachers who noticed the commotion.

During cross-examination, Duma was asked by Bantiles’ lawyer, Richard Nethercott, on the alleged inconsistencies between her judicial affidavit and her narrative report made immediately after the incident.

Nethercott asked why Duma was able to describe the gun allegedly pulled out by Bantiles from the sling bag in her judicial affidavit while this was absent in her narrative report, which she made immediately after the incident.

“In the narrative report, you did not identify the gun. But in your judicial affidavit, you mentioned the color of the gun. You did not state that in your narrative,” said Nethercott.

Duma explained that although she remembered the color of the gun, that detail was not included in her narrative report as she was rushed into writing it.

The court will resume the trial on June 10, with the defense panel expected to present another CSA official as a witness.

The Philippine National Police revoked Bantiles’ licenses for a Glock 9mm pistol and a .45 caliber pistol in the wake of the alleged gun-poking. Bantiles, according to reports, is a construction contractor and a resident of 44 Stockholm street in Villareal Classica Village, Quezon City.