CITY police director Col. Alberto Lupaz revealed that they have prepared a murder charge against the doctor who fatally shot a 19-year-old student in a bar scuffle over the weekend.
However, as of this writing, there has been no inquest procedure against Dr. Marvin Rey Andrew R. Pepino, a non-uniformed personnel assigned to the Davao Police Regional Office, since the suspect requested a preliminary investigation into the case.
A preliminary investigation is necessary to determine probable cause.
Lupaz added that Pepino will also be facing a charge under Sect. 31 of RA10591 ( Illegal Possession of firearms) since he has no permit to carry firearms outside of residence (PTCFOR).
Aside from criminal liability, the Regional Investigation and Detection Management Division (RIDM) is also conducting a parallel investigation against the suspect for administrative liabilities.
He said the division will eventually release the results of its investigation in two weeks and his liability is tantamount to discharge from service.
Lupaz also dismissed the insinuation that they are giving the suspect special treatment because they did not release his mug shot.
“We are protecting the interests of both parties. We do not know ano yung possibly mangyari (what might possibly happen). As much as possible, hindi makalat ang picture (the images won’t be widely disseminated) for security reasons. Pero pwede naman kumuha basta papayag ang mga lawyer nila (You can get the photo if the lawyers will allow it) but for the part of the PNP we are allowing it,” Lupaz said.
He claimed that the victim came from a prominent family, with his lawyer-brother connected to the Commission on Audit. “I’m not insinuating. Kahit suspect siya, he is under our protection. He’s in jail already.”
Maj. Teresita Gaspan, the spokesperson of Davao City Police Office (DCPO), identified the victim as Amir Pulanon Mangacop, single, of El Rio Subdivision, Bacaca, Brgy. 19-B.
Based on the initial investigation, the two, who were members of two opposing groups, got into a heated argument inside the bar.
The commotion prompted the San Pedro Station to send another police officer, Cpl. Ropel Gersalino, who tried to pacify the two sides. However, the opposing parties ignored the cop as they went out of the bar and started throwing punches at one another.
Feeling that the victim’s group was “superior in strength,“ Pepino pulled out his gun and shot the victim several times. Witnesses immediately brought the victim to a nearby hospital but physicians declared him dead.
Investigators were able to recover a 9mm handgun believed to be used in the crime as the suspect was brought to the San Pedro Police Station for detention.
Stricter liquor ban
Meanwhile, Mayor Sebastian ’Baste’ Duterte plans to implement a stricter policy on the liquor ban under Ordinance No. 004-30 series of 2013, which amended Ordinance No. 1627, following the shooting incident at Lugar Bar at corner V. Mapa and J. Camus Extension Street last Saturday.
The mayor told reporters in a press conference on Monday at City Hall that they need to reinforce the implementation.
“We all know, bago lang tanan nakagawas sa pandemic and medyo resistant pa ang mga tao muoli ug balay giaganahan mulaag kay for two years, wala sila nakagawas gawas (Everyone is maximizing their chance to leave their homes due to the pandemic, so they are resistant to going home early),” he said.
“But I suppose kung striktohan ang implementation sa liquor ban we can avoid these incidents from happening because when people are intoxicated with alcohol, bad things can happen at any point in time,” he added.
However, Duterte asked for some time to revisit some of the existing laws. “The executive order will be maintained until such time we can see what are the adjustments. Like I said, this is my first day in office. I have to observe how people react to ordinances our laws, so I need to review it, so you have to give me time,” he further said.
He said the business permit of the erring establishments may be revoked if they will violate the alcohol ordinance.
Warning to bars
For his part, Lupaz also called the attention of bar owners to put a warning sign on their doors that bans the entry of guns.
“They must also position a security guard to check the people coming inside just to ensure that there will be no firearms allowed inside, ” he said.
He admitted that the pandemic hampered the implementation but the police officer vowed stricter enforcement to prevent a repeat of the shooting incident. He said that instead of 1 am, the ban will start at midnight.
