A detainee was shot dead allegedly by the Police Precinct 1 commander when he reportedly grabbed the service firearm of a police operative at the Intelligence and Investigation room of the precinct at San Juan Street, Bacolod City at about 9:20 a.m. yesterday.

Romulo Taballo Sabino, 37, of Purok Malipayon, Brgy. 35, succumbed to gunshot wounds in his right eye and right temple, allegedly inflicted by Chief Insp. Jimmy Fortaleza, following a commotion in the investigation room.

Sabino was arrested Sunday by Precinct 1 operatives for allegedly stabbing the nine-month-old sow of his neighbor, Nena Nicor Layasan, of Brgy. 35, police reports said. Fortaleza said he and his men were interrogating Sabino on the complaints filed by Layasan when he suddenly grabbed the 9mm Beretta pistol from the holster of PO2 Alexis Disomangcop.

Fortaleza said Sabino fired the gun several times hitting the walls and grounds of the police station. A scuffle resulted, prompting other police officers in the station to respond. PO2 Disomangcop, PO2 Abner Depasupil and PO2 Celito Dullan who were also in the room were able to parry Sabino, but he was uncontrollable so he had no choice but to shoot him, Fortaleza said. Sabino was declared dead by the elements of Emergency Medical Team of Patrol 117 few minutes after the shooting.

Sabino, had also destroyed the wooden door of the police station, kicked the door of the patrol car and damaged the wristwatch of PO2 Depasupil during his apprehension, the police said.

Two other detainees in Precinct 1, aged 16 and 13, had also complained that Sabino slapped their faces when they tried to stop him from shouting and creating a scandal in the detention cell Sunday night. Sabino's remains are now at the Alisbo Funeral Homes.

SIGHS OF RELIEF

Meanwhile, Sabino's family and relatives said they were saddened by his untimely death, but claimed they are thankful at the same time.

Warlito Sabino yesterday said he pitied his younger brother, but somehow he heaved a sigh of relief after the incident. He claimed Romulo was also threatening to kill him and his family as soon as he was released from detention cell.

He said Romulo had been challenging him to a fistfight often, especially when he was under the influence of intoxicating liquor. He said he could not trust his brother anymore because he had been harassing his children.

Warlito also narrated that Romulo was responsible for killing their father by choking him to death in 2002. He said Romulo also stabbed their older brother on New Year's Eve in 2005, and even attempted to rape their sister in Brgy. 35, Bacolod City recently.

Ritchel Sabino also told the DAILY STAR, that her uncle tried to stab her a month ago, but she managed to escape. She said her uncle often harassed her and her family when he was under the influence of intoxicating liquor.

Police records show that Romulo was arrested by the Isabela PNP on the strength of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Elsie Elumba of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court in Isabela town, for violations of Presidential Decree 533, or Anti-Cattle Rustling Law of 1974.*DMG

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