Guard to face charges over murder of German

CEBU, Philippines - The guard who shot dead German national Hans Jurgen Hesse after reportedly mistaking him for a robber will face homicide charges before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office tomorrow.

Sr. Insp. Wilson Abot, investigator of the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch, said that while they have considered Hesse’s killing as a homicide case, they are still reviewing the investigation report for other possible charges against Jerome Niere, 38.

“Amo pang gitan-aw ang nga elemento sa homicide ug murder kung naa ba pero initially sa akong tan-aw, homicide ni,” Abot said in a phone interview.

PIDMB holds custody of Niere, a native of El Pardo, Boljoon town, who is now detained at the Consolacion police detention cell.

Hesse, 60, was gunned down inside Sola Homes Subdivision in Barangay Guiwang, Alcoy, early Thursday morning.

Insp. Crisanto Abella, Alcoy police chief, said that there was no schedule given but Hesse’s wife, Anja Christa Barbara Hesse, will soon fly back to Germany with the victim’s remains.

“Pinaagi sa ilang interpreter ingon man to nga ipa-cremate lang nila una dad-on sa ilaha unya mo-file gyud sila ug kaso,” Abella said.

The body is yet to undergo autopsy by the PNP Crime Laboratory 7.

Niere was arrested in a joint operation of the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch, Alcoy Police Station, and Boljoon Police Station Friday midnight at the mountain barangay of Nangka, Boljoon, after about 10 hours of chasing him.

His family and relatives, who initially refused to cooperate with the police, eventually helped in locating the suspect.

After gunning down Hesse on Thursday dawn, Niere left his issued 9mm pistol at the crime scene. He was taken to the PNP Crime Laboratory-7 for paraffin test.

Last Thursday, Niere was manning his post at the main gate of the subdivision when his fellow guard Jerry Carulasan, asked to accompany him in checking the spark behind the retirement village office where Hesse was actually at.

Hesse, was wearing a dark jacket with a hood when he ran into the guards. Niere who thought that he was a robber, shot him in the forehead and chest.

The German was declared dead on arrival at the Dr. Ildefonso Alcantara Memorial Hospital in Dalaguete town.

While Niere escaped, Carulasan surrendered and turned over his issued 9mm pistol to the police. He was later released from police custody.

Niere admitted to the crime but explained that he only shot the victim when the latter tried to pull something from his waistline.  (FREEMAN)