Cop kills barangay watchman in QC

A police officer surrendered to authorities yesterday after shooting and killing a barangay security development officer (BSDO) who had been conducting patrol near his house in Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City the previous night.

SPO1 Arnold Casumpang, 39, assigned at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and a resident of Gravel Pit Calachuchi street in Barangay Commonwealth, is now detained at the Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU). Appropriate charges are set to be filed against him.

The victim identified as Hadji Kasin, 45, BSDO, of Aloe Vera street at Barangay Commonwealth, died from a gunshot wound in the chest.

Investigation showed that Kasin was conducting patrol when he was spotted by the police officer at around 9 p.m.

The cop, who noticed a gun tucked inside the barangay watchman’s pants, immediately approached him and asked why he was carrying a gun.

A witness told investigators that he later heard the suspect reminding the victim that he should always bring with him documents for his firearm.

SPO2 Rodrigo Barrameda, officer-on-case, said the victim left the suspect but returned after a few minutes, together with other barangay watchmen. Without provocation, he allegedly shouted at the police officer outside his house and tried to arrest the latter.

The suspect went outside his house to see who was shouting and responded by challenging the barangay watchman to a fistfight.

The victim and his companions allegedly rushed toward the suspect.

The police officer immediately ran back to his house and grabbed his service firearm. Armed with handguns, Kasin and his companions rushed toward the house in an attempt to arrest the policeman.

Another witness also told investigators that a gunshot was fired from the suspect’s house.

Witnesses said the action on the part of the suspect was self-defense because the victim and his companions provoked the suspect to use force in trying to defend himself.

Meanwhile, in Malabon City, a police informer was shot and seriously wounded by three suspected hired guns at around 2 p.m. yesterday.

Juan Danilo Cruz was walking along Gen. Luna street in Barangay Katipunan when the suspects, armed with caliber .45 pistols, waylaid him.

The victim, who sustained multiple bullet wounds in different parts of the body was brought to the Tondo General Hospital for treatment.