Policeman kills sidewalk vendor

A policeman shot dead a sidewalk vendor in barangay Bulacao, Cebu City.

SPO2 Cresente Dacillo, 42, said he acted in self-defense when he shot Primo Callego Jr. in the abdomen and thighs after the man  drew a gun.

But Callego’s live-in partner, Jane Gimena told Cebu Daily News the policeman was  making up the story.

Gimena said her partner was unarmed and that the .38 revolver found in the area where Callego was shot was planted.

The woman said jealousy was the motive in the shooting. She said the policeman suspected that Callego was attracted to his wife.

SPO1 Ruth Bongo-Violango, homicide investigator of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said investigators were only able to get the account of the policeman since no one saw the actual shooting.

Nevertheless, Violango said police would file administrative and criminal charges against Dacillo and that it was up to the policeman to defend himself.

According to Dacillo, he went to his  family-owned sari-sari store in sitio Lagura at 5:30 p.m. last Monday and  saw an unidentified man standing nearby.

The man was later identifed as Callego.

Dacillo said he called the man’s attention but the man suddenly drew a gun and tried to shoot him.

The policeman said the gun malfunctioned, giving him the chance to draw his 9 mm pistol and shoot the sidewalk vendor.

Dacillo, who is assigned at the Bulacao police precinct, later surrendered to the Pardo police station.

Callego was already sprawled on the ground when members of the Pardo police arrived.

Paramedics from Basak Pardo Emergency Rescue brought Callego to the CCMC but he did not make it alive. /CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON