Ex-cop killed, passerby injured

CEBU, Philippines - A former policeman was killed while a passerby is in critical condition after two men, who remained unidentified as of press time, fired at them in Tres de Abril Street, Barangay Labangon, Cebu City yesterday morning.

Roy Nudalo Tolentino, 41, died on the spot after he was shot in the chest and neck by the two unidentified assailants who arrived onboard a motorcycle.

Kenneth Jone Garcia Homeres, 22, an apprentice of an architect firm in Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City, on the other hand, was critically injured after a bullet tore through his chest as he passed by the area.

The police said the back-rider was the one who pulled out a gun and shot Tolentino several times.

Homeres, a native of Biliran in Leyte, just happened to pass by on his way to buy a ballpen when he hit in the chest.

PO1 Merlo Laborte of the Cebu City Police Office Homicide Section said Homeres was just walking when he (Homeres) suddenly felt numbness spreading in his chest.

Homeres was rushed to a private hospital for immediate treatment.

Bangcog said a nearby establishment’s closed circuit television camera captured the incident. The footage could help the police in identifying the culprits.

Responding Homicide investigators and Crime Scene Investigation Unit personnel recovered at least two .45 pistol bullet shells at the crime scene.

Senior Inspector Elizabdro Quijano, Homicide Section chief, said they are eyeing grudge as possible motive for the killing.

Superintendent Renato Dugan, Police Regional Office-7 Personnel and Human Resources and Development Division chief, said Tolentino became a policeman in 1996 and served in the cities of Mandaue and Cebu.

In November 2012, Tolentino was assigned to the CCPO Mobile Patrol Group, but he stopped reporting for duty in July 2013.

Senior Police Officer 3 Felomino Mendaros of the MPG said that after his wife died, Tolentino stopped going to work.

“Kung mobisita mi sa ilaha di man mo-atubang, motan-aw ra sa bintana di mangabli sa balay,” Mendaros said.

He said that being the one tasked to administratively investigate Tolentino, he had no other recourse but to recommend that his colleague be dropped from the rolls for going “Awol” (Absent Without Official Leave).

It was in July last year when the Philippine National Police dismissed Tolentino from service for serious neglect of duty after he failed to explain his unauthorized absences. —  (FREEMAN)