PDEA agent shoots dead his neighbor

CEBU, Philippines —  An agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas is now facing criminal and administrative charges after he fatally shot his 49-year-old neighbor in Barangay Kaongkod, Madridejos town in Bantayan Island last Sunday evening.

The police identified the victim as certain Daniel Pastorpide Alolod, a resident of the place. He was shot allegedly by a PDEA-7 agent, David Catalun~a Medallo, 36, outside their house.

Police Captain Windell Abellana, Madridejos Police Station chief, said they have yet to determine the motive behind the murder.

He added that their initial investigation revealed that Medallo went over to the house of Alolod and shot him with no apparent reason.

Right after the incident, the suspect was then arrested in a hot pursuit operation in a neighboring barangay.

"Based on the facts nga niadto siya sa lugar which is dili niya place abode, place to sa biktima, and no apparent reason, lead jud siya murder," said Abellana.

Abellana said there were also reports that the suspect had been complaining about a stench coming from the victim’s house that might have led to an argument.

Based on police accounts, the suspect smelled alcoholic beverages during the incident.

Four empty shells and a slug of a .45 caliber pistol were recovered at the crime scene.

Authorities are still checking if the pistol was his issued firearm.

Meanwhile, PDEA-7 regional director Levi Ortiz said the agency will conduct its own administrative investigation.

Ortiz added the criminal case will be up to the police while the PDEA will slap grave misconduct administrative charges against the suspect that could lead his dismissal from the service.

According to Ortiz, from his personal assessment, Medallo was an efficient agent.

"Unya hilomon man ni siya, natingala pud bitaw ko naunsa ni nga incident, mao to’ng ang directive sad sa director general to conduct investigation regarding the matter," said Ortiz.

Ortiz also said what happened should serve as a lesson to law enforcers. — GMR (FREEMAN)