Dumpit ‘guilty’ of homicide; cop hopes to post bail soon

SPO1 Adonis Dumpit (wearing yellow) stood up as the verdict was read by a court stenographer at the courtroom of Regional Trial Court Judge Ester Veloso yesterday. Dumpit was relaxed and unmoved. (CDN PHOTO/ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL)

SPO1 Adonis Dumpit was convicted yesterday for shooting dead a 17-year-old robbery suspect in Cebu City almost 10 years ago.

Judge Ester Veloso of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Cebu City sentenced the policeman to six to nine years and four months of imprisonment and ordered him to pay P50,000 to the heirs of the victim.

Dumpit, who was tagged in the deaths of three crime suspects and the wounding of a dozen more since the late 90s, was originally charged with murder for the death of Ronron Allosada Go in barangay Tejero on Dec. 14, 2004.

But the judge lowered the charge to homicide, saying the prosecution failed to prove that there was “treachery and use of superior strength” by Dumpit when he shot Go.

The lower charge allows Dumpit to file a motion for bail, which his lawyer Benjamin Militar said he would do soon aside from a motion for reconsideration of the verdict, so that the policeman, who has spent four years in jail, can enjoy temporary liberty while his case is on appeal.

The judge considered a witness account that Dumpit had warned the victim not to run before the policeman fired a shot.

Evidence

“It cannot be said that the assault was sudden and unexpected. The victim was sufficiently warned, thereby proving that the accused did not employ means to ensure that the victim could not defend himself,” the judge said.

While Dumpit didn’t kill the victim on purpose, the judge said the policeman is still not free of criminal liability.

Dumpit’s claim of self-defense and a shootout was rejected as a defense that was not supported with evidence.

“The killing of Ronron Go (Allosada) was not sought on purpose. (But) the fact remains that the accused shot and killed the victim. There was no unlawful aggression and provocation from the victim,” the judge said.

Dumpit has been detained since Feb. 1, 2010. The time he spent in jail shall be credited to the current penalty.

Good moral character

Sporting long hair and a yellow prisoner’s T-shirt, Dumpit looked relaxed and expressionless when the verdict was read to him by the court interpreter past 8 a.m. yesterday at the Qimonda IT Center.

In an interview later with GMA-7’s Balitang Bisdak, Dumpit said he was “OK” with the verdict and that he hopes to be reinstated as a policeman He pointed out that he was cleared of liabilty in a police administrative investigation.

Dumpit said he also hopes to be issued a certificate of “good moral character” so he will be released by the time he serves six years of his sentence.

Dumpit’s lawyer said they will file a motion for reconsideration.

“Judge Veloso did a very good job. We just respectfully disagree in some findings which we hope she reconsider,” he said.

The victim’s mother Janeth Badana was crying when the court announced its verdict.

She told Cebu Daily News that she wasn’t completely happy with the decision. “I respect the decision of the judge. At least, the case ended in the conviction of the accused. Justice was rendered for my son,” she said.

Conviction

Badana said she immediately went to Go’s grave after the court verdict, which drew mixed reactions from local officials.

Acting Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella said the court was in the best position to rule on Dumpit’s guilt in the case.

Former Cebu City councilor Augustus “Jun” Pe Jr., said Dumpit, a former bodygyard of former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña was a “good and dedicated cop.”

Senior Supt. Edward Carranza of the Police Regional Office’s (PRO) directorial staff said they will “review police procedures to eliminate lapses and ensure the dignity and rights of suspects.

Chief Supt. Prudencio “Tom” Bañas, PRO-7 chief, said they will help Dumpit hire a lawyer.

“We will provide financial assistance because the case happened in the line of duty,” he said. /With Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac and Correspondents Jhunnex Napallacan, Apple Ta-as and Chito Aragon