Binondo shooting: Guard says he was provoked

The security guard who killed a ChineseFilipino businessman on Monday following a heated altercation in front of a condominium in Binondo, Manila said he tried to remain calm to avoid a confrontation, but he was provoked by the victim.

In an interview with The STAR in his cell at the Manila Police District (MPD) headquarters, Joel Baet of Fast Link International Security Agency Inc. said he was sorry for killing Albert Lee So, 40.

Baet said he lost his temper due to So’s continued arrogance and bullying.

The suspect said he drew his 9mm service pistol and repeatedly fired at So, who died while being treated at the Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital.

Four others were wounded after they were hit by stray bullets.

Vivian Ilagan, 40, a security guard; Pinky Loraine Velasco, 7, and her sister Rosalina, 10; and Jesse Falcuitin, 34, were taken to the hospital for treatment.

MPD homicide chief Senior Inspector Romel Anicete said Baet was manning his post at the iPacific Residences condominium located at the corner of Lavesarez and Ilang-Ilang streets when So arrived and parked his motorcycle in front of the building at around 2:20 p.m.

So was engaged in a flour and cooking oil business whose building is near the area.

Baet said he politely asked the victim for permission to remove his motorcycle and park it elsewhere “because my bosses would berate me.”

“But he got mad at me and left,” the suspect said.

Footage from the building’s closed-circuit television showed Baet and another person carrying the motorcycle and transferring it to another place.

When So came back, he cursed Baet and gave him the dirty finger.

Baet said So flicked his ear, challenged him to a fistfight and shoved him to the door of the condominium.

“That’s the time I lost my senses. So I drew the gun and fired at him. I don’t know what happened next,” he said.

Baet tried to escape but was collared by barangay watchmen, who turned him over to police.

Anicete said they recovered the suspect’s 9mm pistol and an empty magazine.

“This incident should serve as a lesson that nobody should bully a man with a gun, and for people who have firearms to be more patient,” he said.