Minor thief shot, blue guard flees

CEBU, Philippines - A notorious robbery suspect was shot in the back by a security guard of Wilcom Construction in barangay Lawaan 2, Talisay City yesterday dawn.

The victim, who is a minor, was rushed to the Talisay City District Hopsital but was later on transferred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

Meanwhile, James Cesar, the security guard, fled shortly after the shooting, with his shotgun, allegedly used in the incident.

Based on the initial investigation conducted by the police, Cesar and fellow security guard, Lordan Gelacio, who were on duty that day, noticed the three men inside the property.

When the guards saw the minor carrying a sack filled with iron plates, Cesar fired a warning shot to supposedly stop them.

Cesar said he even shouted at the minor to leave the sack behind, but the latter allegedly did not heed him and ran away towards the gate of the property.

At this juncture, Cesar allegedly fired at the minor, and thus hitting him in the back.

The minor sustained a gunshot wound in his back.

Police recovered from the scene 12 empty shells of a 12-gauge shotgun, and a sack with six iron plates.

SPO4 Daniel Tarucan and PO3 Ferdinand Pablo, investigators of the case, said the victim was a notorious robbery suspect, and that he has been wanted by the police for burglary and a host of other crimes.

They said they had already arrested him in the past, but was released because he could not be jailed because of his age.

The minor will be turned over to the City Social Welfare Office once he is discharged from the hospital.