Injured	Killed
1	0

Date: 23 June 2010
Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/194296/pdea-agent-mauls-shoots-tricycle-driver-in-ear

BUTUAN CITY – For refusing to follow his instructions to be dropped off at another barangay, a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent mauled and then shot a tricycle driver in the ear early dawn on June 23. 

PDEA agent Jalon Niño Prado, 31, was reportedly irked when the tricycle driver told him that he was unavailable because he was waiting for a regular customer, investigation made by Butuan City Police Station 3 showed. 

The incident took place near the police station. 

Prado allegedly wanted the tricycle driver to transport him to Barangay Bancasi some three kilometers away, but some witnesses claimed the the driver politely turned down the request. 

Also, some eyewitnesses mostly trysikad (pedicab) drivers, noticed the PDEA agent was allegedly drunk.

Irate, the PDEA agent went to the agency’s regional office to get his service firearm — a caliber .45 pistol — and upon return, aimed the gun at the driver. 

The agent then started mauling the victim while cursing and then shot the victim’s ear, a police investigation report and eyewitnesses claimed.

A Philippine National Police-Caraga Regional Highway Traffic Management Group personnel SPO3 Magancio Lofranco, who was at the crime scene at the time of mauling and shooting, allegedly even helped the suspect maul the victim, eyewitnesses told the investigating police and reporters.

It was not known if this claim made by eyewitnesses were included in the police report. 

The Traffic Management Group-Caraga and PDEA-Caraga regional offices are located near to each other.

Investigators of Butuan City Police Station 3, which is also near the two offices, identified the victim as Roger Pino, 26, married and resident of Purok 3, Barangay Libertad, Butuan City.

Close relatives who say they don’t have enough money to hire counsel for the mauled victim alleged some PDEA personnel are now negotiating to pay allegedly P3,000 for the victim’s injuries. 

They wanted the TMG personnel included in the charge sheet.

On Wednesday afternoon, a case of grave threat and physical injuries were filed only against the PDEA agent before Butuan City Prosecutors’ Office under case number XIII-01-INQ-10F-00120. – RJAB Jr./LBG, GMANews.TV