Separate investigations have been launched by the Catanduanes Police Provincial Office (CATPPO) into the fatal shooting of a bolo-wielding abaca stripper who allegedly went amok in Panganiban town last Jan. 3, 2025.
In an official statement, the provincial police expressed its heartfelt condolences to the family of Dennil Jhon Tala Fulton, 28, a resident of Cabuyoan, who died while being treated at Viga district hospital where he was brought after being shot by a team of policemen led by Panganiban deputy chief of police PEMS Ronnie A. Agawin.
According to the report, the team was responding to a phone call from barangay kagawad Honesto Suarez Jr. regarding a case of alarm and scandal at the barangay.
When the team arrived at the scene, the officers immediately saw Fulton brandishing a machete and waving the bladed weapon in a threatening manner, causing fear among residents.
The law enforcers tried to persuade the abaca stripper to calm down and avoid any further escalation.
However, the report claimed, the armed suspect resisted the police efforts and aggressively charged at the officers, forcing a police officer fire at the suspect.
Fulton fell to the ground and was subsequently disarmed before being taken for immediate medical attention to the Viga hospital where he succumbed to his wounds at 5:57 PM.
The report did not identify the police officer who fired at Fulton but a source quoted an official police report allegedly naming the lawman as PEMS Agawin.
The Provincial Forensic Unit (PFU), now headed by PMaj. Wilfredo I. Pabustan Jr. as officer-in-charge, subjected the scene of the incident to forensic examination along with the M-16 service firearm used in the shooting.
The involved police officer was likewise placed under investigation, with the results of the medico-legal report from the hospital to provide additional information on what transpired during the incident.
The CATPPO statement disclosed that while a separate probe is being done by the Provincial Internal Affairs Service (PIAS), it would be open to any independent investigating body who would like to take a closer look at the incident.
It added that the Catanduanes police leadership and the Panganiban Municipal Police Station has already provided assistance to the family of the slain abaca stripper and are continuously coordinating with them to ensure that the proper procedure is followed in the investigation.
It stressed that the police organization is ready to accept the results of the probe and would implement appropriate actions under the law, as it respects the principles of responsibility, justice and adherence to proper procedures to ensure compliance with law and respect of human rights.
“We will continue on our goal of serving the people of Catanduanes with honesty, transparency and orderliness,” the statement said. “The maintenance of peace and security of the province is the primary duty of the CATPPO and we will not hesitate to resort to necessary measures to ensure the safety of the public while safeguarding the trust of the community we serve.”
It added that despite the challenges brought by the recent incident, the provincial police will carry on with its duty with integrity, transparency and dedication, with its action always based on the principles of fairness and justice and with the aim of maintaining the citizens’ trust in law enforcement.
“In all instances, we will make sure that our policies and actions will focus not only on peace but also on proper and humane service to every individual in the province,” it concluded.
POLICE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
Under existing rules of engagement, a police officer must first issue a warning before he could use force against an offender. The warning is issued for the police officer to identify himself and to give opportunity to the offender to surrender.
However, a failure to issue a warning is deemed excusable in cases of imminent threat to life and there is no other option but to use force to subdue the offender.
The same rules state that in such an armed confrontation, only necessary, sufficient and reasonable force should be applied. While the excessive use of force is prohibited, the use of weapon is justified if the suspect poses imminent danger of causing death or injury to the police officer or other persons.
A cellphone video of the incident that was posted on social media showed two uniformed cops armed with M-16 rifles approaching Fulton who was standing in the middle of the road and carrying a bolo.
Barangay officials are heard asking him to drop his bladed weapon but the abaca stripper replied, “Ayoko, hindi ako susuko sa kadiliman.”
“Kahit ano pang gawin niyo niyan, hindi yan puputok,” he shouted as the two officers approached with their guns aimed at the suspect who had turned his back and went a few meters away.
At least two residents, probably barangay officials, are heard describing the man as “pastidyo sa magurang” and “problema ning barangay.”
At 3:38 PM, he is seen reversing direction and walked towards the police officers, with one of them firing either a warning shot or one that likely missed as the abaca stripper was apparently not dissuaded.
As Fulton runs toward them, the two lawmen retreat but with their rifles aimed at him.
Then at a distance of about two meters as the suspect closes in, five successive gunshots are heard.
The camera phone does not capture the shooting, with the video later showing Fulton still on his feet with his back to the lawmen and clutching the front of his body.
“Tama na! Tama na!” one witness is heard shouting at the police officers.
Still carrying the bolo on his right hand, he straightens before falling backwards on the concrete road.
The police officers approach the fallen Fulton, kick away the bolo before carrying him aboard the police patrol vehicle to be brought to the hospital.
VICTIM WAS HACKED BY OWN FATHER IN 2022
The shooting incident occurred over two years after Fulton was hacked by his own father on Oct. 30, 2022.
According to the report of the Panganiban police, a quarrel erupted between Dennis Maitim Fulton, then 48 and a widower, and his son Dennil Jhon, then 25, at about 2 PM that day.
While holding a 24-inch long bolo (manasbad), the elder Fulton allegedly challenged his son to a fight but the latter chose to avoid a confrontation and decided to go out of the house.
But as he went out, his father hacked him at the back and at the left arm, resulting in blood flowing profusely from the wounds.
The report said that Dennis chased his son until they reached the road where they were pacified by relatives and a member of the barangay council.
The victim was immediately brought to the Viga district hospital for immediate medical treatment and then transferred to the Eastern Bicol Medical Center where he is recuperating from the wounds and the considerable loss of blood.
His father was arrested by responding personnel of the Panganiban police, who filed a criminal complaint for frustrated parricide against him.