Cop faces raps for shooting neighbors dead

CEBU, Philippines —  Criminal complaints for homicide were filed yesterday against a policeman who shot dead two of his neighbors who allegedly attacked him after throwing stones at his house in Santa Rita Village, Barangay Dumlog, Talisay City late Saturday night.

Two counts of homicide were filed by Talisay City Police Station chief Major Gerard Ace Pelare before the prosecutor’s office against Staff Sergeant Sidney Alisoso.

Alisoso killed brothers Jelvis, 30, and Joel Cabrera, 35, after a confrontation last Saturday evening.

Alisoso, assigned at the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit, claimed that the victims threw stones at his house prompting him to call for backup from the Talisay City Police Station.

While waiting for the responding policemen, Alisoso went out of his house to talk it out with the victims but Jelvis reportedly attacked him with a bolo.  Fortunately he was able to dock and was only hit in his arm. On the other hand, Joel reportedly drew a gun prompting Alisoso to defend himself.

Alisoso voluntarily surrendered to his fellow police officers. Crime scene investigators recovered from the crime scene a caliber .45 pistol with four rounds of ammunition and a 12-inch bolo.

Police Regional Office-7 director Brigadier General Valeriano De Leon said an administrative investigation may also be conducted against Alisoso depending on the outcome of the preliminary investigation by the prosecutor’s office.

 “It depends on the apprehension of the fiscal. Kapag may probable cause siya, we will administratively put him down his place, at the same time commence the administrative case,” De Leon said.

De Leon said Alisoso may have been sufficiently provoked by the victims resulting in the shooting incident.

“You don’t allow attackers to finish you off,” De Leon said referring to the incident that might have triggered Alisoso to retaliate.  USJ-R intern Katrina C. Alvarez FPL (FREEMAN)