Murder raps filed vs soldier in death of cops

MANILA, Philippines - Multiple charges were formally filed yesterday against the soldier who shot dead two cops and critically wounded a jeepney driver at the Bonifacio Monument Circle in Caloocan City Tuesday night.

Aristotel Calagui, 44, a resident of Navotas City, was charged with two counts of murder, illegal possession of firearm, robbery and domestic violence before the office of Caloocan City prosecutor Darwin Canete.

Calagui introduced himself as a military officer when accosted by the police and also presented a Marine ID showing he is attached to the AFP intelligence service. 

“We are still in the process of verifying the suspect’s true identity including raw information of his alleged involvement in several crimes in Metro Manila and in the provinces,” Senior Superintendent William Macavinta, Caloocan City police chief, told The STAR.

At around 7:20 p.m. Tuesday, Calagui allegedly shot dead PO3 Joel Belarmino, 46, and PO1 Victor Mondejar, 27, both detailed at the Caloocan City police Sub-Station 1 mobile patrol unit along Monumento.

Two stray bullets hit passing jeepney driver Cezar Ejemplo, 49, in the stomach.

Christine Napolis, the suspect’s live-in partner, sought the assistance of the police after having been beaten by the suspect who also threatened to kill her because of jealousy.

The cops apprehended Calagui and tried to bring him and Napolis to the police station for investigation but failed to disarm Calagui who shot and killed both police officers while they were inside a patrol vehicle.

Calagui fled with Belarmino’s 9mm pistol but was immediately arrested. He yielded the cop’s firearm and an unlicensed .45 caliber pistol with one bullet embedded in its chamber.