Police not filing charges: Cook who killed robber acted in self-defense

CEBU, Philippines - The police said the cook of a burger joint in Talisay City who stabbed to death an armed man who attempted to rob him acted in self-defense.

Last Thursday morning, Candule, who works as cook and attendant for Angel’s Burger in barangay Poblacion, Talisay City was attending to his work when two men, one of them later identified as Jun Rey Escare, 20, arrived and ordered some burgers.

Escare suddenly whipped out a .38 pistol and declared a holdup, telling Candule he only wanted the stall’s earnings for the day.

But Candule grabbed the gun at the same time snatching a bread knife stabbing Escare with it.

PO3 Benedicto Lasque, one of the investigators of the case, said no charges have been filed against Candule because he acted in self-defense.

However, Lasque said the police will wait for Escare’s relatives to file a formal complaint against Candule.

“So far, wala man hinuon miduol para mo-reklamo,” Lasque said.

Lasque said Escare was a known criminal in the city and was involved previously in stabbing and theft incidents.

He said Escare was involved in the murder of the nephew of a small time businessman in barangay Tabunok.

Lasque said the police established Escare’s identity through a cellular phone recovered from his person. Through the man’s phone, the police were able to contact Escare’s father.