Policeman who shot armed men in Danao is now under probe

CEBU - The policeman assigned at the Regional Intelligence Office who engaged in a shootout with two armed men in a cemetery in Danao City will still be placed under investigation.

Police Supt. Romeo Perigo, tasked by Cebu Provincial Police Office director Supt. Carmelo Valmoria to cover the northern part of Cebu while he is on leave, said it is standard operating procedure to include PO3 Rochelle Arquiza under investigation despite the report that he was only responding to an armed person alarm.

Perigo said that Arquiza is placed under custody of Danao City Police Station chief Supt. Larson Dechino.

Arquiza will also have to undergo a paraffin test with armed suspects, Marc Juda Ramonida, 24, and Junriel Bentoy, 19, who are still recuperating at the hospital for gunshot wounds.

Last November 2, at 2 a.m., gunshots were heard at the public cemetery in barangay Taytay, Danao City prompting barangay tanods to seek the help of Arquiza who was paying his respects to his dead relatives.

They first met Ramonida who was armed and who reportedly neglected the police officer’s order to surrender.

Instead, Ramonida allegedly aimed his gun at Arquiza, prompting the latter to shoot him, hitting the right side of his body.

When Arquiza was about to bring Ramonida to the hospital, another burst of gunfire was heard, this time from a man later identified as Bentoy. Arquiza also shot Bentoy.

A bystander was reported hit by a stray bullet in the process. But it was not sure whether it was Arquiza or Bentoy who hit the said bystander.

A calibre .45 was taken from Ramonida while a calibre .357 was recovered at the crime scene. – Ferliza C. Contratista/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)