Tardiness can kill

A security guard was shot dead by a fellow guard over the former’s habitual tardiness in reporting for duty at a plastic factory Friday night in Malabon.

SPO2 Ferdinand Espiritu, offer on case, said victim Jeovanni Resma, 33, of Lupa, Phase 6, Block 1, Tonsuya, Malabon City was declared dead on arrival at the Valenzuela District Hospital. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the body and the nape.

Suspect Richard Olino of Paradise Village, Malabon City, who has gone into hiding after the shooting, and Resma were detailed as guards of the Polyman Manufacturing Corp. on 60 M. Santos street in Barangay Santulan, Malabon City.

Espiritu said the shooting stemmed from conflict over the two guards’ work schedule. Olino allegedly resented that Resma often reported late for work, preventing him from going home early to his family.

Prior to the incident, Resma allegedly arrived late and received a mouthful from Olino.

Resma allegedly resented the suspect’s "sermon" and offered to leave his sidearm with the suspect.

"O, ayan, ikaw na lang mag-gwardiya nang mag-isa mo!," Resma was heard to have shouted at Olino.

A shouting match then ensued until cooler heads intervened and the two were pacified. Resma allegedly left in a huff, but returned moments later.

Flordeline Maque, an employee, allegedly saw the two struggling for possession of a handgun.

Olino, who was stockier than the victim, succeeded in wrestling the gun from Resma and pumped several bullets into Resma’s gut.

As the victim fell, the suspect made an attempt to flee the crime scene, but changed his mind.

He turned on his heels and fired a final shot at Resma hitting him in the nape before running away with the fatal weapon. — With Pete Laude