Cop charged with murder for killing of bus passenger

CAMP PACIANO RIZAL, Laguna—A policeman assigned to the regional police training unit in the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) region was charged with murder after he shot dead a male passenger of a bus in Laguna on Friday.

The suspect, PO3 Generoso Falconit, was apparently peeved when the victim, Leonilo Banaag, interrupted him as they were onboard a Sta. Cruz, Laguna-bound bus at around 5 a.m, said Supt. Leovegildo Manaig, Calamba city police chief.

Manaig said it started when Banaag tried to stop Falconit from touching a female passenger seated beside them on the bus.

Falconit was allegedly pestering and touching the woman so Banaag noticed it and tried to stop him.

Manaig said Falconit drew his gun and shot Banaag four times in the chest before getting off the bus and taking a jeepney to Barangay Paciano in Calamba City. Banaag died in a hospital.

Falconit was also positively identified by other passengers as the one who shot Banaag. Falconit has been arrested.