Double murder raps filed vs rookie cop

A rookie policeman from the Eastern Police District (EPD) was charged with double murder for shooting two teenagers in Pasig City last May 29.

Charged before the Department of Justice (DOJ) was PO1 Bedo Montefalcon, assigned at the EPD’s District Intelligence and Investigation Division.

Superintendent Atanacio Macalan Jr., head of the EPD satellite office of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said Montefalcon was positively identified by three witnesses as the gunman in the killing of Danil Gale Gaberia, 17, and Jo Alvin de la Cruz, 17.

Montefalcon was identified through photographs taken from the police headquarters in Camp Crame, Macalan said.

"One of the witnesses broke down in tears upon seeing the policeman’s photo." When police investigators confronted Montefalcon, the policeman denied the charges.

The victims and three others were on board a tricycle in Barangay Sto. Tomas when they got involved in a traffic altercation with a vehicle bearing red plates.

The group on the tricycle shouted at the occupants of the vehicle, which later blocked the tricycle after a long chase.

Alighting from the vehicle, Montefalcon allegedly accosted Gaberia, grabbed him, then shot him at close range. He then shot De la Cruz, who was driving the tricycle. The officer also fired at their fleeing companions.

Gaberia died on the spot due to a gunshot wound in the head while De la Cruz died while being treated at a hospital.

Macalan said they will also file attempted murder charges against Montefalcon.

The rookie officer was with four other men at the time of the incident, but the CIDG has yet to identify them.