Policeman shoots farmer dead

CEBU, Philippines - For trying to stop the arrest of his brother, a farmer got killed during an alleged shootout in Barangay Bayong, Balamban town last Tuesday morning.

PO2 Armand Enriquez claimed he was forced to shoot Rolito Abanto, 43, after the latter fired shots at them first.

Enriquez together with SPO3 Allan Patalinghug and SPO2 Jude Dennis Aguanta were serving the warrant of arrest for violation for R.A. 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act issued by Jugde Cesar Estrera against Jelly Abanto, younger brother of Rolito.

The policemen went to the area purposely to serve the warrant against Jelly but when Rolito sensed the arrival of the authorities, he fired at them using a .45 caliber of firearm that prompted the policemen to fire back.

According to PO3 Eugene Macapas, desk officer of Balamban Police Station, Rolito fired a shot at the policemen after Enriquez disembarked from the patrol car.

But when Rolito squeezed his gun’s trigger again, it failed to fire giving Enriquez the chance to shoot hitting him twice in the body that caused his instantaneous death.

The alleged shootout has given Jelly the chance to flee and elude arrest.

Police recovered from the crime scene Rolito’s .45 caliber pistol with five live ammunitions inside its magazine, one empty shell in its chamber and one empty shell in the ground. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/WAB  (FREEMAN NEWS)