Murder raps against tanod, who shot actor

CEBU, Philippines – The Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor has filed an information for the crime of murder against the barangay tanod who shot an actor during a film shooting last October 30, 2010 in Barangay Parian, Cebu City.

City Prosecutor Nicolas Sellon has recommended no bail for accused Edgardo Cuizon, who allegedly shot the 27-year-old Kirk Abella who was filming a documentary film called "Going Somewhere".

The information stated that the accused was armed with an unlicensed .357 caliber revolver, knowing fully well that a shooting of a documentary film was being held along Ibarra and JC Zamora Streets.

The scene that was being shot at that time was of two actors of the Film Production boarding a motorcycle.

Cuizon, a barangay tanod of Parian, reportedly fired the revolver just when the said motorcycle-riding actors started to move after given the instruction, "action call" by the film director.

According to the information filed by the prosecutors, the accused fired the shot at the back-rider "with deliberate intent, with intent to kill and with treachery." 

The document further stated that the accused "took advantage" of the fact that the actors already had their backs at him, "unsuspecting of any impending attack and not in a position to defend themselves or avoid the attack."

Abella was hit at the back portion of his body and died a few minutes later.

The prosecutors considered the use of unlicensed firearm as a special aggravating circumstance to the commission of the crime.

In a seprate information, Cuizon was charged for violating the gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections in relation to the barangay and youth polls last Oct. 25.

An earlier report quoted Cuizon as saying that he was unaware of the shooting. He was reportedly at the house of Barangay Captain-elect Boy Nuñez when they received the report about an armed gunman in their area.

But Parian Police Station Chief Ins. Alexis Relado said the tanods and the barangay officials were informed of the film shoot. (FREEMAN)