MANILA: The Canadian who shot dead two people in a courtroom in Cebu City last Tuesday was still alive though with a self-inflicted gunshot wound when policemen arrived and apparently finished him off, a witness said yesterday.
This was contrary to claims by investigators that responding policemen shot John Holdridge Pope in the wrist and thighs to disable him before he killed himself.
An official privy to the investigation said that based on the witness’ account, Pope was still alive but had shot himself when policemen shot him.
“When he dropped, that’s the time the crowd came in,” the source said. The official declined to divulge details pending further investigation.
The witness is a staff of Cebu Municipal Trial Court in Cities.
Cebu City police in-charge Mariano Natuel saw lapses in the security system of the Marcelo Fernan Palace of Justice that allowed Pope to get inside the court with two firearms. The court needs to improve its security system and even foreigners must be frisked, he added.
Court Administrator Jose Maidas Marquez told reporters that he had directed executive judges nationwide to implement a two-level security checking system in courts.
Four policemen were deployed yesterday to help guards secure the court and frisk those entering and leaving the building.
Police Officer Manuelito Astilla said four policemen will be on guard duty at the premises from 8am to 5pm
They will report directly to Executive Judge Silvestre Maamo of the Regional Trial Court, he added.
The Philippine Star
