Mandaluyong mayor suspends watchmen in ‘misencounter’

MANILA, Philippines — Mandaluyong Mayor Carmelita Abalos on Friday ordered the suspension of the village watchmen involved in a fatal shooting believed to be a case of “mistaken identity.”

In a letter to Barangay Addition Hills chairman Kent Faminial, Abalos condemned the “senseless act” that left two people, including a woman being brought to the hospital, dead.

Abalos said it is not the duty of village watchmen to fire shots at anyone should danger arise, but to immediately report the incident to police officers who are authorized to conduct proper operations.

“Besides, barangay tanods are not supposed to bring firearms while in their tour of duty. Hence, the acts of barangay tanods, if news reports are accurate and proven to be true, are deplorable,” she said.

Abalos ordered Faminial to conduct a thorough investigation and to suspend the watchmen involved.

She also asked the village chief to confiscate the firearms of the watchmen, who are usually only armed with truncheons, to determine whether the guns are licensed or not.

Watchmen Ernesto Fajardo and Gilberto Gulpo, the driver of the barangay mobile patrol who was seen firing at the vehicle, are still at large.

READ: Police chief, 10 others relieved over Mandaluyong 'misencounter'

Witness: Watchmen fired first

Two people were killed in a shootout incident along Shaw Boulevard corner Old Wack Wack Road Thursday evening.

Letter to Brgy. Addition Hills Capt. Kent Faminial pic.twitter.com/pb0nTZo5XV

— MandaluyongPIO (@MandaluyongPIO) December 29, 2017

Joan Ambaan was shot in the head by an unidentified person at Addition Hills earlier that night after an altercation. Her companions brought her into the white Mitsubishi Adventure to rush the wounded victim to the hospital.

Village watchmen thought that passengers were armed and involved in the shooting. They then relayed the information to the police.

The misinformation led to village watchmen and cops shooting the individuals inside the white van.

According to Mhury Jamon, one of the surviving passengers, the village watchmen chased and started shooting while they were on their way to the hospital. The watchmen then disappeared when the cops arrived.

Jamon said the police started shooting when the two passengers inside the vehicle, which include the wounded Ambaan, did not come out.

“Hindi nila na alam na hindi makababa. Hindi kami pinakinggan na pasyente ang dala namin (They did not know that we couldn't get out. They didn't listen when we said we were transporting a patient,” Jamon said.

Ambaan eventually died in the hospital. Jomar Hayaun, one of the passengers of the van, was also killed in the shootout. Two others were seriously injured.