SAN CARLOS CITY, Pangasinan -- A kasambahay was rescued by Philippine National Police personnel after she was shot by her employer right in the latter’s home in Barangay Pagal this city on Friday, August 5.
The PNP led by Colonel Richmond Tadina, director of Pangasinan Provincial Police Office, and the San Carlos City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) rushed the victim to the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital in Brgy Bolingit, San Carlos City.
The authorities also rescued the three members of the suspect’s family who had locked themselves up inside their room for fear.
The victim, identified as Jocelyn Delos Santos, 47, a resident of Brgy. Cruz, was allegedly shot by Edward Umangay, 35, upon the former’s arrival to report for work at around 7 in the morning.
The victim sustained three gunshot wounds on her body but is now in stable condition.
Investigation revealed that the victim had just arrived at the house of the suspect and without any apparent reason, the suspect shot her several times.
Hearing a gun fired, the suspect’s mother, wife and child hid inside their house for fear that they might also be shot.
The family at the same time coordinated with the Pagal’s barangay captain, and eventually sought the police help.
The PNP personnel acted with dispatch and proceeded to the area in San Carlos City after conducting a briefing with the CDRRMO, Bureau of Fire Protection-San Carlos City, and rural health unit.
At first, the responding authorities tried to negotiate with the suspect in his two-storey house, but the effort failed.
“Hindi naman sumasagot ang suspect habang pinakiusapan ito para sumuko, gumamit na ang CDRRMO ng drone camera at megaphone (The suspect was not replying while he was being asked to surrender; the CDRRMO even used drone camera and megaphone (in the negotiation),” said Lt. Col. Luis Ventura Jr, chief of police San Carlos City PNP.
The SWAT Team then made the assault that resulted in the arrest of the suspect.
Confiscated from the suspect was a Taurus Millennium 32, Caliber 9mm pistol with inserted magazine loaded with eight ammunition.
A SOCO team from the Provincial Forensic Unit, Lingayen, Pangasinan led by Captain Adonis Cabintoy processed the crime scene.
According to the wife of the suspect, her husband was suffering depression due to business bankruptcy.
“Napilitan mag sara ang kanilang hardware nitong pandemya, at isa ito sa naging problema ng suspect (The suspect’s hardware was closed due to pandemic and this was one of the suspect’s problems),” added Lt. Col. Ventura Jr.
The Suspect is now under the custody of San Carlos for proper disposition.