Prosecutors consolidate cases filed by NBI, CIDG

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has created a panel of prosecutors to resolve the complaints filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-7 and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-7 in relation to the death of Police Officer 3 Eugene Calumba of the Parian Police Station.

Calumba, an alleged backrider of Michael Banua, was killed on Monday when William Macaslang, the bodyguard of Tejero councilman Jessielou Cadungog, shoots him.

Macaslang alleged he merely acted in self-defense, when Calumba reportedly pulled out a gun and aimed at him.

City Prosecutor Liceria Lofranco-Rabillas, over a phone interview, said the creation of panel of prosecutors composed of State Prosecutors Gandhi Truya, Ma. Theresa Casiño and Ma. Liza Jorda was based on the recommendation of the latter (Jorda) to consolidate the complaints filed by the NBI and CIDG.

On Tuesday, the NBI-7 filed a homicide complaint against Macaslang after he admitted killing Calumba for self-defense.

Macaslang said while he was traversing along T. Padilla Extension in Barangay Tejero, Cebu City last Monday, driving the FJ Cruiser of Cadungog to have it refueled at a gasoline station near Plaza Independencia, he noticed two men onboard a motorcycle wearing helmets, their faces were allegedly covered, following him.

Sensing danger due to the suspicious actuations of two men riding on a motorcycle and the death threats which was received by Cadungog, he kept an eye on them, while driving.

His suspicion was amplified when the two men, later identified as Calumba and Banua, moved along the left side of his driven vehicle despite the limited and constricted space due to the ongoing road repair.

Thereafter, he allegedly saw Calumba pulled out a gun that prompted him to shoot him.

Banua then moved in front of his driven vehicle pulled a gun and aimed at him but out of self-defense, he also shot him.

Calumba and Banua, fled from the crime onboard a motorcycle but unable to go far from the crime scene.

Calumba died because of the gunshot wound, while Banua was under the custody of the police being their victim/witness.

Police Regional Office-7 Regional Director Debold Sinas earlier said Calumba was conducting surveillance in the area.

The CIDG-7 on Wednesday filed murder and frustrated murder against Cadungog and Macaslang for allegedly conspiring in the killing of Calumba and an attempt to kill Banua.

Rabillas said considering the issue involves having the same parties of the same incident, the consolidation of complaints was done as a procedure.

Rabillas said she wants the issue resolved as soon as possible, with the exception if respondents choose to undergo preliminary investigation where they will be filing their respective counter-affidavits, within seven days upon receipt of the order. – GAN (FREEMAN)