Three Malabuyoc cops to face probe

CEBU, Philippines - Three policemen are in hot water over the death of a man last month in Malabuyoc town, Cebu.

Gloria Allosada, the mother of the 25-year-old Genesis Allosada, went to the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division-7 of the Police Regional Office-7 to file complaint against three cops who allegedly shot her son who was armed with a handgun but did not show any intent to use it.

The three cops are Senior Police Office 2 Edward Villarte, Police Officer 2 Diosdado Iran and Police Officer 1 Jomar Gonzalo of Malabuyoc Police Station.

According to Gloria, there was information in the police’s spot report that she found inconsistent. She said she already asked help from other agencies but they allegedly were afraid to act.

According to the spot report of the Malabuyoc police, at 7:52 p.m., they received information from a concerned citizen about Genesis, who was allegedly bringing a handgun at Saliring Bridge in Barangay Santo Niño, Malabuyoc.

Villarte, Iran and Gonzalo immediately went to the area to verify the information but the said armed person already left. The policemen then decided to conduct patrol in the nearby areas and later spotted Genesis at Barangay Poblacion Dos.

The policemen allegedly followed Genesis and saw him making hand gestures as if shooting the two bystanders. With this, three police personnel then called his attention and introduced themselves as cops.

After Genesis saw the cops, he allegedly ran away from them.

The cops ran after Genesis who later allegedly pulled out a handgun from his waist and attempted to shoot them.

This allegedly prompted Iran to shoot Genesis, hitting his head. Genesis was brought to the MJ Cuenco Memorial Hospital for medical treatment but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The police reportedly found a .357 magnum revolver loaded with three live rounds from Genesis.

However, according to Gloria, she suspects that the gun was just planted by the policemen since she does not remember Genesis having a firearm.

“Mangayohay hinuon siya og armas sauna kay nakatrabaho man siya sa Danao pero wala na siya’y armas,” said Gloria.

She said another thing that she was confused about was the allegation that Genesis pulled out a handgun and attempted to shoot the cops when in the picture, it was seen that the handgun was still tucked in his waist.

“Kung nisukol pa to siya, naa ra unta to sa kamot niya ang armas or nalagpot ba layo niya,” she said.

Gloria said her son and Iran’s nephew had a fight before and that the police allegedly threatened Genesis after the incident by allegedly saying in vernacular “may adlaw ra ka.”

She said Genesis’ live-in-partner, who was there in the crime scene after the incident, also heard Villarte allegedly saying in vernacular “ayaw hilabti kay tiwasan pa na namo” as the live-in-partner tried to cover his wound on the head.

Gloria said she went to the Malabuyoc Police Station the day after the incident to put on blotter the shooting incident because they believe Genesis was murdered. However, Gloria said the Malabuyoc police refused as they might allegedly say the wrong information.

Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, chief of the Regional Directorial Staff, said he will direct the Cebu Provincial Police Office to help the RIDMD-7 conduct investigation into the allegation.  (FREEMAN)