Family of PWD shot dead by cop in Cebu seeks justice
Published Jun 16, 2025 06:44 pm
CEBU CITY – The family of a 27-year-old Person with Disability (PWD) who was fatally shot by a policeman is crying for justice.
Milagros Suico said Police Staff Sgt. Florante Hoyle, the alleged killer of her son, Leo Vergel Fin Suico, should rot in jail.
THE wake of Leo Vergel Fin Suico, who was fatally shot by a policeman inside his house in Toledo City, Cebu province on Friday the 13th. (Contributed photo)
“Manawagan kog hustisya sa akung anak, wa man toy labot pero yano ra kaayo nga gipatay akung PWD nga anak (We demand justice for my son. He did nothing wrong but my son who was PWD was easily killed),” Milagros said.
Leo was shot dead inside their house in Toledo City, Cebu around 6 a.m. on Friday, June 13.
Before the shooting, the policeman figured in a melee in the neighborhood.
During the melee, the policeman struck the face of Leo’s brother with his handgun. The policeman fired a warning shot that prompted a group of men who he got into an argument to run away.
The policeman chased one of the men and barged into the house of the Suicos. Once inside the house, police said Hoyle shot Leo in the head twice.
Police said the assailant may have mistaken Leo to be the man who he got into a fight with.
Hoyle, assigned to the Detective Management Unit of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), surrendered after the incident. He turned over a caliber .45 pistol.
The suspect faces a murder charge.
The CCPO will conduct an administrative investigation and is awaiting the report of the Tuburan Police Station, said Police Lt. Col. Maria Theresa Macatangay, deputy city director for operations of CCPO.
Macatangay confirmed that Hoyle is assigned to the CCPO.
She said the CCPO leadership has never failed to remind its personnel to be law-abiding whether they are off-duty or on-duty.
Macatangay assured that the CCPO will investigate the case fairly and thoroughly.