Suspected robber shot by DPWH blue guards

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 31-year-old man who allegedly has a long list of burglary runs at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-6 was shot early morning of Nov 6, 2022.

Lindel Cadiente, 31, of Barangay Salngan Leon, Iloilo, saw his luck run out after he was spotted at the DPWH regional office in Barangay Concepcion, City Proper, Iloilo City, around 1:10 a.m. Sunday.

Cadiente was allegedly making his way toward the DPWH building when he was spotted by security guards Andrew Mar Tayona and Joseph Calopez, both employed by Dyna Arms Security Agency.

Tayona, 36, of Barangay Bitas, Tigbuan, Iloilo; and Calopez, 46, of Barangay Carolina, Leon, claimed they called for assistance from their fellow security officers to apprehend Cadiente.

But the intruder managed to escape by climbing the fence.

The two security guards ran after Cadiente at Muelle Loney Street.

But when they saw Cadiente running towards their position while holding on to a sling bag, they fired two warning shots.

Cadiente was hit on the arm and side of his body.

But no firearm was taken from his possession.

Responding policemen rushed him to Western Visayas State University Medical Center for treatment.

Major Shella Mae Sangrines, Iloilo City Police Station 1 chief, said Cadiente did not suffer life-threatening injuries.

Tayona and Calopez immediately surrendered after the incident.

Sangrines said Cadiente had been suspected of several burglaries at the DPWH-6 office.

“He’s familiar with the offices because he used to work as a team leader of security guards deployed in DPWH-6. He has false keys to open doorknobs of the offices there,” she said.

But he was terminated from work after he was tagged in a theft incident that turned out to be an inside job.

Sangrines said they’re checking if a case was filed against the suspect.

There were also reports that Cadiente used to work as a member of the Philippine Marines.

It was gathered that another DPWH security guard had to look after Cadiente as not one relative came to visit him at the hospital.

It remains unclear if he would file charges against the two security guards who shot him.