Policeman, who shot vendor, asked to answer charges

CEBU, Philippines - Prosecutor Gandhi Truya gave Punta Princesa Police Station’s SPO2 Cresente Dacillo 15 days to file his counter-affidavit to the accusation that he killed street vendor Primo Gallego Jr. last Monday.

Dacillo was charged for homicide before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.

Truya said that as to the determination on whether the case is murder or homicide, this will depend upon the evaluation of the evidence of both parties.

Earlier, the mother of the victim, Angelina, asked why the complaint filed was homicide and not murder.

Angelina added that they have witnesses to prove that his son had no gun contrary to the respondent’s statement that he shot the victim for self-defense after the victim pulled out his gun.

According to the police, when they responded to the shooting incident at Sitio Laguna, Barangay Bulacao, they recovered .38 caliber revolver with six live ammunitions underneath the victim’s body.

They said they brought the victim to the hospital where he died.

Police added that the respondent went to Pardo Police Station and voluntarily surrendered. Dacillo said it was self-defense as the victim attempted to shoot him.

The victim reportedly bought sardines in the store owned by the respondent.

The respondent is temporarily detained at the Pardo Police Station wherein he surrendered.

Originally, the complaint was handled by Prosecutor Mario Ley Gidayawan but since he will be attending a convention he endorsed the case to City Prosecutor Nicolas Sellon who assigned Truya to resolve the complaint.

Gidayawan said he could no longer resolve the case because he will be on leave after the convention.  (FREEMAN)