CPPO: Decision to shoot Yaun sound

CEBU, Philippines – The director of the Cebu City Police Office said they found no lapse on the side of the police when they shot and killed Medellin barangay captain Marianito Yaun after he fired at them last Sunday.

Sr. Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, director of Cebu City Police Office, said the police had to stop Yaun, barangay captain of Antipolo, Medellin, from firing more shots as he might hit the residents living in Sitio Dita, Barangay Pulangbato, where he was hiding.

"According to the report submitted by PIIB and CIB, nagkalanat sila didto and gipusil nila si Yaun, so napugos ra gyud ang ato mga operatives na mubalos sila. (Chief Inspector Romeo) Santander said that was judgment call and kinahanglan na nila buhaton nga mopusil sa suspect kay naay mga tawo na pwedeng maigo didto kay medyo congested ang lugar," Buenafe told reporters yesterday.

Yaun, 33, was allegedly involved in illegal drugs despite his top position in the barangay.

Operatives of the City Intelligence Branch led by Santander, Provincial Intelligence Investigation Branch of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, Homicide Section and Talamban Police Station went to the area after receiving a report of Yaun's presence there.

They were armed with two warrants of arrest against the suspect for illegal possession of firearms and for possession of explosives. Buenafe also answered the allegations that the operatives intentionally killed the suspect considering his brushes with the law.

"Naa baya ang warrant of arrest gina-serve sa iyaha that time. Wanted man na siya so pangitaon gyud sa atong mga kapulisan nya incidentally misukol siya atong time na dakpon unta siya with the warrant of arrest," he explained.

Buenafe said there will be an investigation to be conducted on the incident wherein the policemen involved will be answering the reports properly.

Policemen spotted Yaun playing hantak with some men when they approached him to arrest him.

But Yaun saw them and ran away but later pulled out a gun from his pants and shot at them but missed. The policemen continued to chase the suspect but Yaun fired at them twice more, forcing them to shoot back.

Yaun was hit in the abdomen and was rushed to the North General Hospital where he died a few hours later.

His remains will be brought by his family to his hometown in Medellin. (FREEMAN)