Cop kills carpenter

A ROOKIE policeman shot dead a carpenter who allegedly tried to break into his house in barangay Casili, Consolacion town, northern Cebu.

PO1 Marciano Verdida, 30, turned himself over to the Consolacion police station after the incident.

Verdida is assigned as a jailer at the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LLCPO).

The victim, Roldan Gonzales, 42, died on the spot due to a gunshot wound in the back.

Verdida told police that he noticed someone trying to detach the jalousie blades of a window past 11 p.m. Sunday.

Verdida said he shouted “kinsa na!” but no one answered.

The policeman then fired a shot.

Gonzales was later found slumped near the door of the policeman’s house, PO2 Johnaskie Romero of the Consolacion police said.

Verdida  said Gonzales was his neighbor who had done some repair works in his house in the past.

The policeman said he  failed to recognize Gonzales at the time since the surroundings was dark.

Verdida was unarmed when he surrendered to the town police station after the incident.

Investigators later recovered a .45 caliber pistol with eight bullets outside the policeman’s house.

Police said an investigation will be made to determine if the gun was the policeman’s service firearm.

Police said the body was brought to the Maturan Funeral homes in Lilo-an town.

Found in the pocket of Gonzales were two plastic packs believed to contain shabu, three hand-rolled tinfoil, a tooter and a disposable lighter, police said

Homicide charges will be filed against the policeman.

Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, director of LLCPO, said Verdida has to prove in court that he acted in self-defense.

Separate investigation will be made to find out if the policeman could be held administratively liable, Lawas said./with CNU Intern Allet Mary Teves