Cop ‘mistakenly shot’ by ex-soldier

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A 31-year-old police officer is in stable condition in a hospital here after he was “mistakenly shot” Tuesday evening by an alleged former member of the Philippine Army at Kilometer 3 in Barangay Lawaan, Roxas City.

Police Corporal Jeorge Catalan, Roxas City PNP traffic investigator and resident of Barangay West Villaflores, Maayon, is presently confined at Capiz Emmanuel Hospital here.

Catalan suffered a gunshot wound in his right side of his body allegedly inflicted by Emersion Tarbunal, 33, of Brgy. Lawaan here.

According to one of the witnesses, Catalan was not Tarbunal’s target but a certain JR de Juan, the victim’s cousin.

Based on the investigation conducted by Roxas City police station, Catalan went to the house of Wilfredo De la Cruz together with de Juan for a drinking binge.

While in the middle of their binge, they heard gunfire and Catalan was hit. They immediately brought the police officer to the hospital.

The police later arrived and arrested Taburnal.

Lt. Col. Ricardo Jomuad Jr., Roxas City police chief, said Taburnal became a person of interest in the incident after he was found positive for gunpowder burns during the paraffin test.

Jomuad said Taburnal and de Juan have existing grudges.

Taburnal is presently detained at the Roxas City police station while a frustrated murder charge will be filed against him.