Father shoots man to protect daughter

CEBU, Philippines - A security guard was unyielding in his resolve to protect his family even if it meant giving up his freedom.

Nilo Ferrer, 44, was arrested last Saturday night shortly after he shot Jericho Principe, 24, his daughter’s former live-in partner.

Initial investigation showed that Principe went to the suspect’s house in San Jose Village, Barangay Tisay, Talisay City reportedly to talk to Ferrer’s daughter.

Because Ferrer and his wife did not want their daughter to speak with Principe, the latter reportedly tried to enter the house forcibly. Armed with a gun, Ferrer went out of the house to confront Principe and the exchange led to a heated argument.

Around 6:45 pm, Ferrer pulled the trigger, hitting Principe on the left side of his body. Principe was rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center but did not make it there alive.

Police arrested Ferrer later in Barangay Guadalupe in Cebu City and confiscated from him a .38 caliber revolver and two live ammos.

In an interview with The FREEMAN, Ferrer said it was one of his sons who asked him to surrender.

He shared that he and his wife decided to keep their daughter, Marinel, with them after Principe allegedly maltreated her. He said his daughter, 21, would return to their house with bruises. She’s the eldest among six children.

He said that on the night of the incident, he requested Principe calmly to leave but the latter would not budge.

Ferrer said he did not regret shooting Principe because his main priority was his family’s safety.

“Pinangga gyud nako akong pamilya. Wala gyud makatilaw og latos akong mga anak hangtod karon nga nagkadako na sila pero akong anak nga babaye sige og kabun-og sa lalake (I love my family very much. My children never experienced being beaten but my daughter was always getting bruises from the man),” Ferrer said.

He said Principe and his daughter were in a relationship for more than two years and lived together for some time.

He alleged that Principe was into drugs and when Marinel would return home, he would always take her back.

“Wa gihapon siya matagam, Basta makasuyop kay iyang pangitaon akong anak kay iyang kuhaon og balik (He never learned his lesson. Each time he would take drugs, he would look for my daughter and get her back),” Ferrer said.

He said it was not the first time that Principe tried to enter their house forcibly. He reportedly did the same two weeks ago and Ferrer had the incident reported with the barangay hall.

Ferrer said Principe used to call him “Daddy” yet allegedly threatened to kill him. The threat, however, did not frighten him.

“Wala ko nahadlok niya kay wala man ko’y sala (I was not afraid of him because I did not do anything wrong),” he said.

His only hope right now, Ferrer said, is that Principe’s alleged gang would not get back on him through his family.

Police are set to file homicide charges against him this week. —/JMO (FREEMAN)