Man charged for frustrated murder

Jessela Tarraja only wanted to remind his neighbor about the bad effects of throwing garbage into the river.

But he was not aware that his care for the environment would almost cost him his life.

Tarraja’s neighbor, Rogelio Maratas, Jr., took the chiding personally and shot him last May 22.

The Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor has indicted Maratas for frustrated murder before the Regional Trial Court.

“There is a reason to believe that the respondent (Maratas), who has been positively and uncontestedly identified by the complainant and his witness, probably committed the crime of frustrated murder,” said Prosecutor Ma. Johanna Calustre.

Tarraja, 34, of Barangay Sambag II, Cebu City, said that he and Maratas argued after he rebuked the latter for throwing his waste into the river.

Tarraja and Maratas, 47, almost figured in a fistfight but their neighbor intervened.

When he and his father were on their way to a water refilling station, Tarraja said he noticed that Maratas was hiding near his house.

When they passed by, Maratas pulled his gun and shot Tarraja on the back.

Although wounded, Tarraja said that he and Maratas wrestled for the gun. Tarraja’s father helped him.

After, his father rushed him to the hospital.

Maratas failed to submit his counter-affidavit, which prompted the government prosecutors to resolve the complaint based on the evidence submitted by the complainant.

Calustre ruled to indict Maratas pursuant to Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code. /