By GLAZYL MASCULINO
BACOLOD CITY – The Cadiz City Police Station in Negros Occidental has filed homicide charges against an asset of a police officer, who died following a commotion between them in the city last week.
Although the police initially considered the case as accidental firing, they later filed criminal charges against 25-year-old Beverly Latosa of Sagay City after they found out based on their investigation that Latosa and Staff Sgt. Bernie Sales, 37, grappled with a gun after they had a misunderstanding while having a drinking session inside a commercial complex at Barangay Zone 4 on November 26.
Sales allegedly pulled out his service firearm, a .9mm caliber, during their altercation, prompting Latosa to calm him down.
However, the firearm allegedly burst, hitting the victim in the left side of his body below his chest.
According to Master Sgt. John Aldrich Lucero, chief investigator of Cadiz City Police Station, they believed there’s foul play because of the circumstance.
Lucero said there was no intention to harm anyone but because they grappled with the gun, one of them was able to grab the gun and pulled its trigger.
Lucero said both of them were subjected to paraffin test, though Latosa claimed that she did not shoot Sales, who was assigned at Sagay City Police Station.
Lucero said they have witnesses that’s why they pursued the filing of case, pending the results of the paraffin test.
“Whether it’s negative or positive, we already filed the case. It’s up to the court to decide on the matter if she (Latosa) turns out to be negative of the gun powder because of some factors,” he added.
