Murder case vs Bogo cop

CEBU, Philippines - A murder case was filed in court yesterday against the police official who shot dead his daughter’s boyfriend in Bogo City last Friday.

Chief Inspector Ceferino Tabay, Jr., deputy police of Bogo City, was indicted for murder despite his claim of self-defense when he shot Vincent Paul Montesclaros in Barangay Guadalupe.

Prosecutor Ivy Tejano-Macias recommended no bail for Tabay’s temporary liberty.

The police official did not ask for a preliminary investigation when the Women’s and Children’s Desk of Bogo Police Station filed the murder case yesterday.

Tabay instead wants to answer the charge directly in court. The official will be transferred today to Bogo City Jail where he will be detained pending trial of his case.

Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) director Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador yesterday urged the family of the victim to cooperate in their investigation to strengthen the case against Tabay.

Comendador said that the family of the 17-year-old victim remains uncooperative with the police. He assured that no special treatment will be given to Tabay.

The provincial director said he already instructed Bogo City police chief, Supt. Anthony Bagarinao, to meet with the parents of the victim for the autopsy.

“In order to fast track the investigation, we need their cooperation and support even if they sought help from other agencies,” Comendador said.

The victim’s parents, Paul and Lilibeth, earlier said they will ask the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct the investigation.

NBI-7 director Antonio Pagatpat however said they have yet to receive a request from t he family.

The Cebu Provincial Board, on the other hand, passed a resolution requesting the CPPO to conduct thorough investigation into the incident.

The board approved the resolution of Board Mmember Joven Mondigo requesting CPPO to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation on Tabay.

According to the resolution, which was supported by PB members Sun Shimura and Jose Rebomaphil Holganza Jr., the case deserves a speedy, extensive and objective investigation by the CPPO.

“In view of the doubt of the victim’s family as to what actually transpired and to erase any apprehension of a whitewash as this involved one of its own,” the resolution states.

Tabay reportedly mauled and shot Montesclaros seven times using his 9mm service pistol upon seeing her 16-year-old daughter with bleeding nose.

He claimed that he acted in defense of himself because the victim was allegedly armed.

Montesclaros’ parents however denied that the victim was armed.

The parents claimed that their son was tortured before he was shot. The victim allegedly sustained seven gunshot wounds and severe injuries in the face.—with AJ de la Torre and Ria Mae Y. Booc/FPL (FREEMAN)