Policeman detailed in Mabini shot

A policeman suffered cuts and bruises after rolling down the side of a cliff to avoid getting hit by a volley of bullets directed at him by alleged drunk persons in sitio Loton of barangay Mabini last Sunday afternoon.

SPO2 Venerando Villaban was detailed at an outpost in the said barangay to maintain peace and order because of the reported “standing feud between families over boundaries of their lots.”

According to the report of the Service Security Group of the Cebu City Police Office, Villaban was responding to a strafing alarm in the area after Rolando Seno, one of the lot owners, called their office and informed that a strafing occurred in the area and that somebody was reportedly hurt.

Villaban immediately called their office and asked for backup from his team leader, Sr. Insp. Bonifacio Garciano before going into the area.

But to his surprise, after reportedly identifying himself as a policeman, one of Rolando Seno’s men allegedly fired at him several times using a long firearm.

To avoid getting hit, Villaban ducked for cover but fell over a cliff and rolled down causing cuts and bruises to his body and limbs. But in spite of his injuries, he managed to arrest one of the suspects.

Villaban arrested security guard Reynaldo Altar, 30, a member of the CSIS Security Agency guarding Seno’s lot. The guard was said to be drunk at that time when Villaban confiscated his issued .38 caliber revolver with five live bullets.

When the team of Garciano arrived, they pursued the remaining suspects and arrested Arnado Talisik, 47, a resident of the said barangay whom Villaban identified also as one of the men who opened fire at him. Talisik is reportedly drunk too.

Police however failed to recover the alleged long firearm from the two, but that they would still file charges for attempted homicide for shooting the policeman.

The report angered CCPO director, Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador who said they would pursue filing charges against the suspects because Villaban was posted in the said area to maintain peace and order but was shot instead. — Edwin Ian Melecio/MEEV