No overkill in ‘robber’s’ death – cops

CEBU, Philippines — Authorities have debunked claims that there was an “overkill” in the death of suspected robber following a shootout with cops in Barangay Tejero in Cebu City Monday.

Roger Almodel, 23, a resident of Sitio San Roque, Barangay Lorega San Miguel, succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds to different parts of his body.

But Police Captain Armando Labora, Parian Police Station chief, said he could not give yet details on the number of bullets that penetrated the body of Almodel.

Almodel was killed after a brief case with cops following his failed attempt to rob a softdrink sales agent on Imus Road.

Labora said the cops retaliated to protect themselves from the armed aggressor.

“The police officers need to defend themselves by retaliating,” he said.

Netizens said it was an overkill after a video of the shootout went viral on Facebook.

Labora said they are open to any investigation to shed light on the allegation.

 “We are willing to cooperate with any investigation. We do not fear the truth and we have nothing to hide,” he said.

A team of eight policemen were conducting a checkpoint on Imus Road about 200 meters away from the reported robbery incident.

Almodel blocked the van Greggy Senining, 34, was riding and allegedly pointed a gun at him.

Senining was about to leave the area after collecting payments from purchasers when the suspect approached him. He refused to get off the van, a causing traffic jam in the area.

This prompted the cops to check the cause of traffic.

Almodel noticed the police officers and fled toward an alley in Barangay Loregal San Miguel.

The cops chased Almodel, who tried to blend in the crowd.

One of the cops saw Almodel and grabbed him from behind. But the suspect managed to escape.

The chase continued and a shootout ensued, resulting in Almodel’s demise.

Recovered from Almodel were a knife and a gun, which will be subjected to a ballistic examination.

In an interview, the suspect’s grandmother, 70-year-old Vicinta, said her grandson was supposed to go to his uncle when he heard bursts of gunfire.

She said her grandson panicked and ran away with his plastic toy gun.

“Iyang gidala pusil-pusil nga plastic kanang duwaan. Mobuto diay nang duwaan nga pusil?” she said.

She claimed her grandson is suffering from mental illness. But the family could not afford to pay the cost of his medical checkup.

“Makugang gyud na siya basta naa’y magpabuto. Wala gyud na siya napa-check-up,” she said.

Orly Booyaban, 34, a close friend of the suspect, said he was with Almodel prior to the incident.

He said they were assembling a plastic toy air gun.

“Di ko motuo nga nanulis siya. Maayo kaayo na siya nga tawo. Wala gyud siya’y record bisan pangutan-on pa ninyo diris among barangay. Naninda ra gyud na siya og tubig,” he said. — Iris Mascardo and Noreen Rose Vilchez, CNU Intern/KBQ (FREEMAN)