Man who tried to shoot councilor dies

CEBU, Philippines - The man who tried to shoot Lapu-Lapu City Councilor Leo Mercado passed away at the hospital last Saturday night.

Lapu-Lapu police chief Sr. Supt. Armando Radoc confirmed the death of Patrocinio Baring, 67, to The Freeman yesterday. He said it is most likely that Baring had lost substantial amount of blood from two gunshot wounds courtesy of a policeman who responded to the incident.

Radoc said Baring was transferred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City from the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital but Baring still did not make it.

Baring allegedly tried to shoot Mercado at the Mahayahay cockpit in Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu last Saturday afternoon but failed after his gun misfired.

Radoc also denied reports that PO4 Edgardo Sagarino, the cop who shot Baring, was already at the cockpit when he responded to the incident.

It was reportedly the owner of the cockpit, Vic Radaza, who called the police up and informed him about the incident. Sagarino was reportedly on his way to the market when he received Radaza’s call.

Radoc said there was nothing irregular about Sagarino shooting Baring because the latter reportedly did not heed the policeman’s call for surrender. When Sagarino arrived at the cockpit, Baring was reportedly brandishing his 9mm pistol and people were already scampering away.

Sagarino hit Baring on the right thigh and right side of the hip. 

Radoc said investigation into the incident is ongoing and his men are on the process of getting statements from witnesses.

He said they have received information that Garing has been found guilty in a homicide case and they will determine if he had just been released from the prison in Multinlupa City. 

Radoc said intent might be proven by a statement of a witness who saw Garing at the cockpit last Sunday. He said they have received reports that Garing was Mercado’s former employee at the City Hall who was fired for an unknown offense. — /JMO (FREEMAN)