Commendation pushed for cop who intervened in shooting

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Police led by Superintendent Germano Mallari will commend the policeman who chanced upon and responded to a shooting incident in Bascon Street, Barangay Dumlog last Tuesday.

Mallari said that in his level, he will recommend giving commendation to Police Officer 1 Ranulfo Villaver for his “bravery in responding the call of duty as peacekeeper and protector of the people.”

Mallari said he will submit the recommendation to the Cebu Provincial Police Office.

Villaver, a resident of Barangay Dumlog, Talisay City, is assigned at Alegria Police Station in southern Cebu. He was on his way to report for work last Tuesday morning when he saw two men onboard a motorcycle shooting their neighbor several times.

After the shooting, Villaver introduced himself to the suspects but the  alleged shooter, Ken Archem Dospueblos, 27, instead turned his shots on the police officer.

Villaver took cover and started firing back at the suspect, hitting him in the left thigh.

Later, it was learned that the suspect's target was Judy Cañizares, 34, married, resident of said place.

Cañizares was then talking with his friend near the barangay hall when the suspects arrived and Dospueblos started shooting at him several times.

Fortunately, Cañizares was unharmed after he was able to run.

The suspect's alleged cohort fled using the motorcycle as getaway vehicle.

Dospueblos later surrendered and was rushed to the hospital. Villaver seized from him a .45 caliber firearm, as well as three live ammunitions.

The responding police officers then recovered from the scene five empty shells of .45; two deformed slugs; and nine empty shells of .9mm firearm.

Yesterday, Villaver and Cañizares executed their affidavits for them to formally file charges against Dospueblos. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc of BANAT News