The suspect who shot a motorcyclist during a viral brawl that broke out over a tight traffic squeeze or “gitgitan” along a Barangay San Jose, Antipolo road on Sunday, March 30, will be charged with frustrated murder.
In a report by RH 52 Edniel Parrosa, CALABARZON Police Chief PBGEN Paul Kenneth Lucas explained that self-defense cannot be cited as the reason for shooting unarmed men. He also emphasized that the suspect had fired his gun multiple times, injuring four people including his partner.
Earlier, Rizal Provincial Police Director PCOL Felipe Maraggun disclosed that authorities were readying a non-bailable frustrated homicide case, along with violations of Republic Act 10591, also known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and the Omnibus Election Code, with the current Commission on Elections (COMELEC)-mandated gun ban.
The suspect, alias “Kenneth,” defended the use of his firearm despite the gun ban, claiming in a separate interview that he believed the victim would also pull out a gun.
“Kung may encounter kayong mga ganyan, huwag sanang masyadong mainit ulo niyo, tsaka huwag kayo magtatangka lagi na parang may bubunutin kayo,” Kenneth told reporters.
“Kasi hindi niyo rin alam na mayroon din na dala ‘yung kaaway niyo. Kasi delikado talaga ‘yun, nakaka-trigger talaga ng utak iyon,” he added.
(If you encounter something like that, please do not be so hot-headed, and do not pretend you are going to pull out a weapon. You do not know whether your opponent has a weapon too. That is very dangerous, it really triggers people.)
The victim who was shot in the head in close range and previously reported to have died of his injuries is in a critical state, and was undergoing surgery as of the interview with Maraggun on Monday morning. The three other victims fared better, with two discharged and the last moved to the ward to recover.
