![Family wants justice for student ‘accidentally shot’ by cop in Bukidnon](https://mindanaotoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Local-6-1.jpg)
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Mindanaotoday.com | Family wants justice for student ‘accidentally shot’ by cop in Bukidnon
By: Franck Dick Rosete
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – THE relatives of a killed male student are now seeking justice, claiming that there was foul play in the death of the 18-year-old who was accidentally shot by a police officer in Purok 6, Brgy. Halapitan, San Fernando, Bukidnon Friday, March 31.
In a Facebook post by a certain Xyra Cassandra Ambong Linaza, the sister of the victim identified as Zyro Zandro Linaza of Purok 4, Brgy. Palacpacan of the same town, she said her family didn’t believe that it was a pure accident, claiming that the suspect was under the influence of alcohol.
“We’re asking for your help to please help us seek justice for our brother, Zyro. I am also requesting sa mga naka-witnessed during sa natabo (to those who witnessed the incident),” Xyra said in her post, reposted by the RMN Malaybalay Facebook page.
The Bukidnon Police Provincial Office (BPPO) identified the suspect as Master Sgt. Faith Lauron Panduma, who is currently assigned at the San Fernando Municipal Police Station and has already surrendered to the authorities.
According to the initial investigation, a witness, Francis Xavier Bulaybulay, 19, told police that while having a conversation with the involved individuals, he saw the suspect play his issued Glock Caliber 9mm, where the policeman cocked and removed the magazine in front of the victim and accidentally fired the pistol.
Linaza was shot in his right chest and perforated at the right portion of his back.
The victim was tried to rush to San Fernando Provincial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Maj. Jose Regner Sevilleno, San Fernando police chief, said the victim was temporarily residing at the quarters of the police operatives, where the incident took place—20 meters away from the San Fernando police station—in order to have free food and accommodation, and sometimes in his school allowance.
Sevilleno assured the family that a thorough investigation has already been conducted, spearheaded by the Bukidnon Provincial Internal Affairs Service (PIAS), to provide justice to the victim.
“We waited to see what the result of the investigation would be based on the revelations from the witnesses, and that’s when we filed the case,” the San Fernando police chief said in a phone interview Friday, adding that the family had also been urged to file a complaint.
Major. Jiselle Longakit, Bukidnon police spokesperson, said the involved police officer may face an administrative or criminal case, but it was too early to determine if the suspect would be dismissed from the service.
“It all depends on the result of the investigation, as well as the decision on the cases he may face,” Longakit explained. (MT)
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