MOTORCYCLE-RIDING gunmen shot a pregnant teenager while she was crossing a road in upper Carmen here yesterday morning. The victim had just come from the Hall of Justice on Masterson Avenue where she attended court proceedings in connection with a case she filed against her former employer, a police official.
The 16-year-old victim, five months pregnant, was rushed to the city hall-run JR Borja Memorial General Hospital after she was shot to the neck at around 9:20 am.
“Naigo ang biktima sa iyang li-og, lapus sa iyang wala nga aping, apan maayo gani kay luwas na ang iyang kahimtang,” said Maj. Evan Viñas, spokesman of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office.
As of yesterday afternoon, the victim “is out of danger,” said Viñas, but added that physicians were worried that she could suffer a miscarriage.
Viñas identified the victim but this paper is withholding her name because she is not of legal age, and because of the nature of the case she filed against her former employer — she sued a former police chief for acts of lasciviousness.
Police initially withheld the name of the victim’s former employer but this paper, through various sources, was able to identify the police official as Maj. Albart Tare, chief for operations of the Misamis Oriental police office. Tare is also a former chief of police of Tagoloan town in Misamis Oriental.
Lt. Princess Joy Velarde, Misamis Oriental police spokesperson, said Tare went on a leave of absence since Monday.
Viñas said the victim, a native of Taguitic, Kapatagan town in Lanao del Norte, was with her mother and another female companion — they were about to wait for a public jeepney when the gun attack was carried out.
Police said the pregnant teenager was still crossing the road when a man, who was riding at the back of a motorcycle, fired two shots at the victim, an attack similar to how many drug suspects have been killed, vigilante-style.
Viñas said the teenager fell on the ground, and she was rushed to the hospital as soon as the police came.
Witnesses heard two gunshots, one of which hit the victim.
Maj. Ian Borinaga, Carmen police chief, said witnesses saw the assailants wearing helmets and jackets with no face masks.
“They sped off to the downtown area after the shooting,” Borinaga said, adding that one of the gunmen, the back rider, used a pistol in shooting the victim.
At the crime scene, investigators found two spent bullets from a 9mm pistol.
Police said the victim had just come from the 22nd branch of the Regional Trial Court where she took part in arraignment proceedings in connection with the acts of lasciviousness case she filed against her former employer.
The victim used to work as a house help at the police officer’s home in a Lumbia subdivision.
Viñas, without naming Tare, said the victim was charged with theft first by her former employer but the case was dismissed.
“Gihikap-hikap kuno siya mao nang iyang gisumbong ang iyang agalon,” he said.
Viñas said the alleged abuse happened a few months ago when the shooting victim was still under the police officer’s employ. He said the teenager subsequently went back to her hometown where she is living with a partner.
He said investigators were still trying to identify suspects in yesterday’s gun attack and determining the motivation for the attempt on the pregnant teenager’s life. (NA, JJ, JN)
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
