Dumpit: Shooting was done in the line of duty

CEBU, Philippines - SPO1 Adonis Dumpit appeared in court yesterday as the last witness for the defense panel to prove that shooting robbery suspect Ronron Go was done in the line of duty.

Defense lawyer Benjamin Militar told the media that Dumpit’s testimony was to prove that he was a “responsible policeman” and to disclose what really transpired prior to the shooting incident.

In his testimony, Dumpit said that for 20 years in service he was assigned to different units. Dumpit said he was first assigned at the Anti-Insurgency Group and was detailed in Bohol, Negros and Zamboanga.

While in the said group, Dumpit said he experienced two major encounters when they raided the New People’s Army (NPA)’s hide-out and served a warrant of arrest to a robbery suspect.

Next, he said he was assigned at the Security Service Group (SSG) of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).

Dumpit said he received many commendations and awards from his various assignments.

In the main case, Dumpit said he first met Go when he arrested the latter at the age of about 15 years old.

He said the grandmother along with the Go’s mother, Janeth Badana, asked for his assistance to arrest Go because the latter was an addict and that they could no longer bear with it.

Dumpit said that together with other police officers, they arrested Go after receiving reports that the latter went wild in their house. He said Badana was not in their house during the arrest of Go but her mother was there.

Dumpit said the next time he saw Go was on December 14, 2004 at about 2:00 p.m. when their neighbor, Elizabeth, called and informed him that her daughter, Kimberly Corro, was robbed inside a public utility jeepney while traversing the White Gold area.

He advised her to report the incident to the Waterfront Police Station to see the pictures in the police gallery.

Later that afternoon, Dumpit said the mother and the victim went to his residence asking for help. He said he made a follow-up and then looked for Go.

Dumpit said he saw Badana at the street and asked if she saw Go but she said she did not.

He said he was looking for Go in order to retrieve the necklace which he snatched from Kimberly.

In an interview, Dum-pit claimed self defense and said he shot Go after the latter fired at him. He said shooting Go was done in the line of duty.

Badana said she hopes Dumpit will tell the truth.

Dumpit’s direct examination will continue on October 15, 2012. Dumpit was the ninth witness for the defense. (FREEMAN)