PAO to provide legal aid for survivor in Mandaluyong shooting mishap
Blood on the road shows the aftermath of the shooting incident at the corner of Shaw Boulevard and Old Wack Wack Road in Mandaluyong City on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017. Two people died in the incident, while two others were reported wounded. (Photo by TETCH TORRES-TUPAS / INQUIRER.net)
One of the two survivors in the shooting incident in Mandaluyong City on December 28 would get legal assistance from the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO).
Eliseo Aluad approached the PAO for assistance in his case against police officers and village watchmen tagged in the fatal shooting mishap, according to PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta.
“It was the survivor in the shooting who was first to seek our assistance. Mr. Eliseo Aluad was referred to us by members of the media,” Acosta said on Wednesday.
READ: Mandaluyong shooting: A sad case of miscommunication?
Aluad was among the two civilians injured in the policemen’s hail of gunfire on Shaw Boulevard on the evening of December 28. The other victim was identified as Danilo Santiago Jr.
Article continues after this advertisementTwo persons—Jonalyn Amba-an and Jomar Hayawon—died in the shootout believed to be a case of mistaken identity.
Article continues after this advertisementAcosta said her office would defend Aluad instead of the policemen and village watchmen, explaining that it was Aluad who first approached her office.
The PAO chief explained that when opposing parties ask her office for legal assistance, the first one to approach would be granted such services.
“We cannot represent both parties in the same case because that would be conflict of interest on our part,” the PAO chief said.
Homicide charges were filed against the 10 police officers tagged in the incident before the Mandaluyong City prosecutor’s office.
READ: 10 Mandaluyong cops, 3 village watchmen face homicide raps
The officers were identified as Senior Insp. Cristina Vasquez, Police Officer 2 Nel Songalia and PO1s Kim Tinbusay, Bryan Nicolas, Julius Livuen, Ariel Uribe, Jave Arellano, Tito Danao, Mark Castillo, and Albert Buwag and the three watchmen Wilmer Duron, Ernesto Fajardo, and Gilbert Gulp. /je
