2 cops charged with homicide for killing teacher

SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela—Two policemen were charged with homicide for the fatal shooting of an elementary school teacher in Patul village here on Wednesday.

The city prosecutor’s office filed the charges on Thursday against PO2 John Barrientos and PO1 Reynaldo Tamondong, both members of the  Santiago City police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit.

The police officers claimed that they shot Harold Taliangan, a teacher of Villa Gonzaga Elementary School, to disable him when they tried to arrest him in connection with the loss of millions of pesos in bonuses meant for teachers in 2011.

The money was lost to muggers two years ago but recent evidence implicated Taliangan in the theft.

The two policemen went to Patul village after being informed of Taliangan’s presence there, but the teacher tried to escape despite a warning shot fired by Tamondong. Taliangan died at a local hospital while undergoing treatment. Villamor Visaya Jr., Inquirer Northern Luzon