Ifugao cop charged for slay of 2 pals, 2 others

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Criminal and administrative charges have formally been filed against a policeman for allegedly killing two colleagues and two civilians in a remote Ifugao town earlier this month.

Superintendent Rufino Pascua, Ifugao deputy police director, said PO1 Mark Davis Dulnuan of the Second Regional Police Safety Battalion based in Tinoc town, is now facing four counts of homicide before the regional trial court in Lagawe town.

Dulnuan was accused of gunning down for no apparent reason Police Officers 1 Leobineb Binwihan and Tom Udan and civilians Marcial Calyaen and Benjamin Madino during a birthday party on the night of July 2.

Pascua said Dulnuan is also facing frustrated homicide charges before the municipal circuit trial court in Lamut town for the near-fatal wounding of PO1 Dexter Cattiling during the incident.

Dulnuan was reportedly drunk when he allegedly shot the victims with his service pistol. Six spent shells were recovered at the crime scene.  

“There was no reported provocation. All were surprised as everybody was in a festive mood. They were singing altogether. And suddenly successive shots were heard and the victims were found lying on the ground,” Pascua said.

Dulnuan has been in the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Kiangan town since his arrest a day after the incident.