Store clerks asked to help identify shoplift suspect

CEBU, Philippines - Six cashiers and checkers of Gaisano Metro Colon appeared before the Office of the National Bureau of Investigation-7 yesterday for questioning in the death of Mario Alfie Ducayag, 23, a resident of Tuyan, Naga City, Cebu, who was accused of shoplifting.

NBI agent Bernard dela Cruz said they were asked whether they saw the victim in the second floor of the establishment. Based on the CCTV, the victim was seen near Counter 7.

“There statements coincide with the scenes reflected in the close-circuit television. Actually their statements were just confirmation…only to corroborate the CCTV,” he said.

Dela Cruz however, said the witnesses cannot recall the face of the victim citing they were very busy on Apr. 12, 2013.

Dela Cruz said the recording given to them by the management was the cut version.

“We requested the uncut version of the CCTV and they said they will give it this afternoon (yesterday),” he said.

He said he did not trace yet in the CCTV whether the victim bought sandals or not.

Immaterial

Dela Cruz said the issue of shoplifting was immaterial to the case.

“We did not investigate on the alleged shoplifting but the cause of the death of the victim,” he said.

Based on the preliminary investigation of Dela Cruz, he said the victim was brought to the investigation room last April 12 after he was arrested for allegedly shoplifting.

After 32 minutes to one hour, he said the victim had seizures, prompting the store to call the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation. The victim was taken to the hospital but died.

NBI medico-legal officer Dr. Rene Cam who conducted the re-autopsy on the body of Ducayag found that the cause of death was traumatic nape injury, contrary to the finding of the PNP medico-legal that it was “asphyxia due to bleeding pulmonary tuberculosis.”

Doctor Nestor Sator maintained that his autopsy results were correct. He said his findings were based on what he saw during his autopsy on Ducayag.

In 20 years of practice, he said it was the first time that his findings were questioned.

“I did the best of my capacity as medico-legal officer. I stick to the principle that I have also my own findings. I just leave it to the public to decide,” he said. —/BRP (FREEMAN)