Tacurong PNP files charges vs. cop, 3 others in murder of teenager

TACURONG CITY – Police here on Tuesday have filed charges against a police officer and three others for the murder of a 19-year-old criminology student last week. Supt. Ranie Hachuela, Tacurong City police director, identified the suspect as Police Officer 1 Eliezer Lorenzo who was assigned with the Arakan PNP in Arakan, North Cotabato while the victim was DonDon Mandal, 19. The victim’s companion, identified as Mando Adil, was hit in the face.
Hachuela said at 9 p.m. on Saturday, the victim and his three classmates were heading for home on two motorbikes from a swimming resort but they were flagged down by five armed suspects. Then gun fire rang and Mandal fell.
The incident was captured by CCTV where Lorenzo was clearly identified holding a hand gun, believed to be a cal. 45 pistol.
Lorenzo and his companions were seen on CCTV returning to the resort from the dimly lit area near the swimming resort.
Mandal died on the spot from a bullet in his head and chest, Hachuela said.
Hachuela identified Lorenzo’s companions, based on the CCTV footage as businessman Tirso Macabalat and his aides Jirec Almirante and Kevin Senador.
The victim’s companions claimed another suspect who they believed was also a police officer, escaped.
Mandal’s relatives are crying for justice.
Hachuela said the incident was triggered by an incident inside the swimming pool where the daughter of the police was allegedly sexually harassed by the male students.
Datu Sali Mangudadatu, a relative of Mandal, said based on CCTV, a girl, reportedly daughter of one of the suspects, claimed she was harassed sexually by teenagers in the pool. The police escorts reacted and chased the teenagers.
Mangudadatu claimed a fifth suspect remained at large and that he was also a police officer.
Hachuela said PO1 Lorenzo voluntarily surrendered to Tacurong City PNP.
Hachuela said investigation was focused on two possible angles. One, the girl, a minor, was accidentally hit by one of the male teenagers, including the slain victim Mandal. Another angle, Hachuela said, was the claim that an 11-year-old girl of a police officer was allegedly sexually molested by Mandal in the pool. (Ferdinandh Cabrera)