By: Jennifer P. Rendon
A MUNICIPAL police chief shot his wife’s cousin after the latter tried to attack their home in Cabatuan, Iloilo evening of Oct. 1, 2019.
Police Major Jess Baylon, police chief of Malay in Aklan province, said he was compelled to use necessary force when he saw Dennis Baylon, who was armed with a broken bottle, about to assault him.
Before the incident, the 27-year-old Dennis threw a rock at the police official’s home, which knocked the latter’s wife unconscious.
“My wife was about to get utensils at the lanai when she got hit on the head. She fell unconscious,” the 35-year-old Baylon said.
Earlier that day, the police officer explained that he took a leave of absence to celebrate his son’s 7th birthday at their home in Barangay Tinio-an.
Dennis and his uncle, 59-year-old Lambert Baylon, and several other relatives even attended the party.
At around 9 p.m., almost all party goers went home, including Dennis and Lambert.
Baylon said his wife’s cousin and uncle had not been on good terms for several years already.
The two allegedly fought after leaving the party.
Apparently, Dennis went back to Baylon’s house.
“I just closed the gate and told Dennis to go home,” he said.
But Dennis did not budge and instead forcibly opened the gate.
When Baylon pushed him, he took a step back and threw a rock which hit Baylon’s wife.
Baylon said he was about to check on his wife but saw Dennis attempting to open the gate.
“I was forced to shoot him so that he could not further hurt us,” Baylon said.
Dennis was hit on both feet.
Baylon said he brought his wife to the hospital, and so was Dennis and Lambert.
Baylon subsequently surrendered to Cabatuan Police Station and turned over his firearm and identification card.
MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
Baylon described Dennis to be suffering from mental health problem due to illegal drug use.
He even underwent rehabilitation at the Western Visayas Drug Rehabilitation Center (WVDRC) in Pototan, Iloilo.
Even Dennis’s mother believes that her son went unruly.
Baylon said that Dennis had been accused of throwing rocks at their neighbors’ houses.
“His father had to lock the door when sleeping for fear that Dennis might attack him,” Baylon said.
CHARGES
Dennis filed a case for frustrated homicide against Baylon yesterday.
But Baylon, who posted bail immediately, said he will file counter charges against Dennis for direct assault upon a person of authority and trespass to dwelling.
His wife, on the other hand, will file a case for physical injury while Lambert will sue him for grave coercion and attempted homicide.
