Shot by unidentified man Police auxiliary killed

CEBU, Philippines —  An active member of an auxiliary force of the Minglanilla Police Station was shot dead by an unidentified man in Sitio Lower Lipata, Barangay Linao-Lipata, Minglanilla town, around 10:45 a.m. yesterday.

Manny Alcaraz, 45, a resident of Panganiban Street, Cebu City, but temporarily living in the area, and a member of the R7 Unified Marshals of the Minglanilla Police Station, just left his house when he was shot dead.

People nearby reportedly hearing five gunshots, when they went to check they saw the victim lying on the ground already bloodied. Responding policemen brought the victim to the Minglanilla District Hospital but he was declared dead on arrival.

Police Officer 3 Junyl Ater of the Minglanilla Police Station said they recovered two deformed slugs and the personal belongings of the victim at the crime scene.

Ater added that they are looking into the volunteer work of the victim as a member of their force multipliers as the motive behind the crime.

Meanwhile, the Prosecutor's Office has charged a man before the court for allegedly shooting his neighbor who was standing near the coffin of his brother.

Prosecutor Aurora Peñaflor held Ryan Segovia, a resident of Sitio Upper Kamanggahan, Guadalupe, Cebu City, for trial after finding probable cause for frustrated homicide.

"Perusal of the records and evidence submitted clearly established that respondent Ryan committed the crime of frustrated homicide. As alleged, there was intent to kill with the use of a gun. However, complainant failed to establish circumstance such as evident premeditation or treachery as to qualify this case for frustrated murder," read the resolution.

In his complaint, Luisito Castro alleged while he was attending the wake of his brother last July 1, 2018 at about 6:30 p.m., he saw Segovia, Jonel Gabutero, and Simeon Gabutero Jr., having drinks about five meters away.

Later, Jonel approached him and said that Segovia wanted to talk with him. Sensing trouble, Castro pleaded with them for the sake of his parents who were very old.

Castro said that later, while he was standing near the coffin of his brother, Segovia allegedly approached him, pulled a gun out of his bag and shot him.

He ran upstairs and Segovia followed, there they wrestled for the handgun. Simeon later took the gun away from the two and Jonel allegedly tried to attack him with a knife but stopped after the victim told him it was him who was under attack.

Castro alleged Segovia, Jonel, and Simeon were helping each other. Peñaflor issued a subpoena directing respondents to file their counter-affidavit but they failed to do so.

Peñaflor later found probable cause against Segovia but not to Jonel and Simeon.

"Complainant failed to produce sufficient evidence for the crime charged as against Simeon and Jonel. In fact, Simeon tried to intervene and took the gun from Ryan. Jonel tried to attack complainant with a knife to the defense of Ryan thinking that complainant tried to kill him but stopped the moment complainant pleaded to explain," read the resolution.

Peñaflor recommended a P72,000 bail for Segovia's temporary liberty. — Mylen P. Manto, BRP, (FREEMAN)