Court indicts student who shot teacher

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office has indicted a 22-year-old high school student who allegedly shot his high school teacher in Tabuelan, Cebu last month.

State prosecutor Mary Anne Demano held Elmer Arcillas for trial after finding probable cause for frustrated murder.

During the inquest proceeding, Arcillas chose not to undergo preliminary investigation to negate the allegations filed against him. Instead, he manifested to face the charges in court.

Demano recommended P200,000 bail for Arcillas’ temporary liberty.

The case was already filed before the Regional Trial Court in Toledo City.

Arcillas allegedly shot Geronimo Flores, a fourth year high school adviser at Juan Pamplona National High School, on February 26, hitting him in the thigh.

Investigation revealed that Arcillas was mad at Flores because the latter kept on calling his guardians’ attention because of his alleged poor performance in school.

After the shooting, Arcillas fled but was arrested at the house of his uncle in Sitio Kabalawan, Barangay Bongon, Tabuelan by the responding policemen. Police said Arcillas did not resist arrest.

Flores was brought to the Tabuelan District Hospital for treatment and is already in safe condition.

Arcillas allegedly confessed to the police that he threw away the firearm he used in shooting Flores. — Mylen P. Manto/ATO (FREEMAN)