Policeman faces murder, frustrated murder cases

CEBU, Philippines - A policeman was charged with murder and frustrated murder before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office over a shooting incident in Samboan early this month that killed a man and injured his minor nephew.

Senior Police Officer 2 Arnolfo Omaña, a resident of sitio Calin-ay, Poblacion, Samboan, was charged yesterday over the death of Socrates Antipuesto and the injury of his 16-year old nephew, Rufo Antipuesto, Jr.

The Antipuestos were attending a “tigbakay” in sitio Tagaytay, barangay Cambiong, Samboan in the afternoon of April 9 when Socrates suddenly had misunderstanding with a certain Teodulo Bingaan that resulted to a fistfight.

Socrates fell on the ground during the fight after he was hit in the face by Bingaan. The people in the area tried to pacify them but Socrates allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired it on the ground.

Omaña, who was in the vicinity at the time, apparently responded and fired at Socrates twice, resulting to the latter’s death. Socrates’ nephew, Rufo, took his gun and ran away but he too was shot by Omaña.

In his affidavit, Rufo said he was first hit in the back portion of his left shoulder but still managed to run. However, the suspect fired another shot, hitting the back portion of his neck with the bullet exited through his right eye.

It was not clear why Omaña, who was assigned in Ginatilan, was in the cockpit.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Police Office has thrown its support to controversial policeman Adonis Dumpit, who was charged with murder in court over the death of a suspected robber in barangay Tejero more than four years ago.

CCPO director Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, however, said that should they receive the copy of the warrant of arrest, they would readily serve it to Dumpit.

Comendador said they would ask legal assistance from the city government for Dumpit, who still is performing his duty at the CCPO.

The Office of the Ombudsman for the Military indicted Dumpit for allegedly killing Ronron Go in the evening of December 14, 2004 in sitio Sampaguita, Villagonzalo II. — Fred Languido and Niña G. Sumacot/LPM (THE FREEMAN)