ILOILO – A police officer got wounded. A fugitive facing a string of criminal charges shot him in Barangay Cagay, Leon town on Sunday.
Police Staff Sergeant Jessy Cabalfin, investigator of the Leon police station, was taken to the Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City for gunshot wounds on the left shoulder and waist.
The wanted man was 61-year-old Ernesto Capio. He was subsequently arrested.
According to Leon police chief, Police Lieutenant Melchor Tolentino, his men went to Capio’s house at around 12:30 p.m. to serve an arrest warrant for murder.
Capio, however, fled toward a nearby river.
While the police were negotiating for his surrender, Capio fired a shotgun at the cops.
“Cabalfin was hit by pellets from the 12-gauge shotgun. We fired back,” said Tolentino.
“Maayo gani wala inya mahaboy ang granada. Madasig sya nga nakapalagyo,” said Tolentino.
Capio was arrested at around 8 a.m. yesterday near his house.
A hand grenade was recovered from him.
“I ordered my men to arrest him alive. Pulis kami, indi kami kriminal. Amo na nga despite armed and dangerous sya kag natirohan ya tawo ko, gusto ko dakpon nga buhi,” Tolentino added
Capio was charged with murder for shooting to death barangay captain Zozimo Loguias on November 2020 over a land dispute.
“Gintiro ‘ya ang kapihan kag gin-attempt ya man patyon and duha ka utod ni kapitan,” Tolentino said
On the other hand, Capio said he merely mistook the police as members ofrhe New People’s Army (NPA).
“Abi ko NPA amo to nga nagbato ako,” he told the police.
Capio was a charged for murder, attempted murder and frustrated murder.
He will be again facing frustrated murder and illegal possession of explosive./PN
