CEBU CITY – A policeman fatally shot his neighbor during an argument on Friday morning, June 13, in Barangay 6, Tuburan town, Cebu province.
POLICE Staff Sgt. Florante Perucho Hoyle undergoes booking procedures after he fatally shot his neighbor in Tuburan, Cebu on Friday morning, June 13. (Contributed photo)
Police Staff Sgt. Florante Perucho Hoyle, an operative of the Investigation and Detective Management Unit of the Cebu City Police Office, surrendered after the incident.
Police identified the fatality as Leo Vergel Fin Suico.
Police Capt. Dun Blane Tabares, information officer of the Cebu Police Provincial Office, said a group of men was having a drinking session when a drunk Hoyle arrived.
An argument between the policeman and the group broke out. The argument escalated when Hoyle slapped one of the men.
A melee erupted. As punches were thrown, the policeman drew a gun and fired a warning shot to the ground.
The group of men ran after hearing the gunshot.
Police said the suspect gave chase and went to the victim’s house. Once inside the house, Hoyle shot the victim in the head.
“According to the investigator of the Tuburan police, it looked like a mistaken identity. The suspect may have thought that the victim was one of those whom he got into a fight with,” said Tabares.
The suspect surrendered to his colleagues who responded to the crime scene. He surrendered a loaded caliber Colt .45.
The policeman, detained at the Tuburan police station, is facing murder and physical injury charges, police said.