Four guards summoned by NBI for questioning

The four security guards accused of beating up a man they suspected of being a shoplifter inside Gaisano Metro in downtown, Cebu City two weeks ago were requested to appear before the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7).

“We are giving them the opportunity to answer the allegations,” said NBI-7 Agent Bernard dela Cruz, lead investigator in the death of Mario Alfie Ducayag.

Dela Cruz yesterday told reporters that the four security guards, who also act as in-house detectives, can heed or ignore the NBI’s invitation.

“If they don’t want to come here, we can’t force them. We will respect their decision,” he said.

Under investigation were chief security Mauricio Doblados Jr.; security guards Jeffrey Aquino, Melvin Boyles, Margie Gaser, a certain Lerio.

Last Wednesday, Gaser, the lady guard who caught Ducayag on his way out of the mall, went to the NBI-7 office to explain her side. Her accounts were placed on an affidavit taken by Dela Cruz.

Gaser said Ducayag failed to show a receipt for a pair of sandals he got inside the mall.

The pair of sandals was purportedly placed along with diapers, biscuits, and milk inside a plastic bag from the grocery section of Gaisano Metro Colon.

Except for the pair of sandals, all purchased items had a receipt.

While the NBI-7 investigation will determine whether or not Ducayag was killed, dela Cruz said they would also verify if Ducayag stole the sandals by checking the computer where the item was registered.

Six mall employees who were at Counter 7 of the mall’s second floor yesterday went to the NBI-7 office to shed light on the issue.

But dela Cruz said the six witnesses could not determine what Ducayag did when he came to Counter 7. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol