Driver accuses Cordova police of sitting on shooting incident

CEBU, Philippines - A member of the Nagkahiusang Drayber sa Sugbu has accused the Cordova police of allegedly sitting on a shooting incident wherein a supposed ex-convict allegedly peppered him with bullets.

In an interview with dySS, Jeward Preglo, 26, alleged a certain Arnel shot him several times while he was driving his multicab in barangay Ibabao, Cordova yesterday morning. A bullet hit him on his right thigh when he jumped off the vehicle to find cover. 

Preglo said that shortly after the shooting, a policeman went to his house and brought him to the police station to have the incident entered into the blotter, but no investigation was commenced.

The police blotter indicated the suspect’s name to be Judas Bintulan.

He said the suspect is still in his neighborhood and rumors have it that he reportedly does not intend to leave until he gets his target.

“Wala may action ang mga pulis. Naa ra gud sa basketbolan namo ang suspect, sige lang ug lakaw-lakaw. Kay ang storya raba sa uban, dili ni mubiya siya basta dili jud makuha ang iyang target,” Preglo said.

PO2 Calixto Butantan, desk officer of the Cordova police, said that contrary to Preglo’s statement, his colleague Dennis Camunay actually went to the crime scene and looked into the incident shortly after the shooting. He also urged Preglo to file a formal complaint so that Bintulan can be invited for questioning.

“Ang advice lang siguro nako sa complainant nga kung makakita man gani sila sa suspect, tawag sila sa among opisina para amo nang maimbitar ug amo sab silang giawhag nga mu-file jud og kaso,” Butantan said.

Preglo said the shooting might be related to another incident the other night wherein his brother-in-law figured in an argument with a certain Nicky, a tricycle driver.

He was reportedly sleeping at that time, but was awakened when his brother-in-law arrived and sought for help. His wife reportedly went with her brother, thus, he was prompted to follow.

When they found Nicky, Preglo said he reportedly placed an arm around the driver and asked what the problem was, but Nicky allegedly boxed him on the face, which prompted the barangay captain to bring Nicky to the barangay hall.

There, Nicky reportedly asked for an apology, but Preglo said he opted that they talk when Nicky is sober.

The next morning, when Preglo was driving his multicab, he reportedly saw Nicky put stones on the road, which made him slow down his vehicle. At that moment, Bintulan reportedly arrived and fired shots at him using a .357 revolver. He managed to evade the first shots, which destroyed his windshield and side mirror, but eventually got hit on the thigh when he jumped off the multicab to get away. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/JMO (THE FREEMAN)