Ky-Fi
08-04-2002, 09:36 AM
Philippine president tells prosecutors not to charge an actor who killed robbers
Wed Jul 24, 8:39 AM ET
By OLIVER TEVES, Associated Press Writer
MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ( news - web sites) has told state prosecutors not to proceed with charges against an action film star for killing two men who allegedly robbed the actor's house and tried to rape his daughters.
"This is not vigilanteeism. He was defending himself and his family. We've checked the facts," she told reporters Wednesday. "Intuitively, he felt it was the right thing to do."
Police had filed homicide charges against action film star Sonny Parsons for killing the two alleged robbers during a fight in a Manila suburb and prosecutors were due to start an investigation next month to decide whether police had presented enough evidence to prosecute him.
Parsons, whose real name is Jose Parsons Nabiula, told The Associated Press he was "elated" by the president's decision.
He said that as a former police special agent, he had expected to be charged and was prepared to defend himself in court.
Parsons, 44, said six men, armed with pistols, barged into his house early last Thursday as his maid opened the gate. The intruders then tied everyone up.
He said one of the men poked a gun to his head but it misfired. The robbers took money, jewelry, cellular phones and a video camera and then entered his daughters' bedroom, tied them up and started undressing them.
Parsons, who is trained in martial arts, said he duped the intruders into believing a police patrol would be having breakfast at his house, prompting the gunmen to panic and leave.
The maid then untied herself and Parsons, he said. Armed with a .45-caliber pistol, he chased the gunmen and opened fire on them as they tried to commandeer a passenger jeepney — a public transit vehicle.
In the exchange of gunfire, he killed one gunman and wounded another. Three others escaped.
As Parsons and a sixth guman, both out of bullets, fought hand to hand, the actor wrested a knife away from his opponent and slit his throat, killing him.
Parsons starred in 29 action films and directed four, including the last one released three years ago entitled "Bullet for Justice." In most he played good guys fighting criminals.
He said the incident has forced him to suspend work as director and star of his latest film about life as a local council member.
Wed Jul 24, 8:39 AM ET
By OLIVER TEVES, Associated Press Writer
MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ( news - web sites) has told state prosecutors not to proceed with charges against an action film star for killing two men who allegedly robbed the actor's house and tried to rape his daughters.
"This is not vigilanteeism. He was defending himself and his family. We've checked the facts," she told reporters Wednesday. "Intuitively, he felt it was the right thing to do."
Police had filed homicide charges against action film star Sonny Parsons for killing the two alleged robbers during a fight in a Manila suburb and prosecutors were due to start an investigation next month to decide whether police had presented enough evidence to prosecute him.
Parsons, whose real name is Jose Parsons Nabiula, told The Associated Press he was "elated" by the president's decision.
He said that as a former police special agent, he had expected to be charged and was prepared to defend himself in court.
Parsons, 44, said six men, armed with pistols, barged into his house early last Thursday as his maid opened the gate. The intruders then tied everyone up.
He said one of the men poked a gun to his head but it misfired. The robbers took money, jewelry, cellular phones and a video camera and then entered his daughters' bedroom, tied them up and started undressing them.
Parsons, who is trained in martial arts, said he duped the intruders into believing a police patrol would be having breakfast at his house, prompting the gunmen to panic and leave.
The maid then untied herself and Parsons, he said. Armed with a .45-caliber pistol, he chased the gunmen and opened fire on them as they tried to commandeer a passenger jeepney — a public transit vehicle.
In the exchange of gunfire, he killed one gunman and wounded another. Three others escaped.
As Parsons and a sixth guman, both out of bullets, fought hand to hand, the actor wrested a knife away from his opponent and slit his throat, killing him.
Parsons starred in 29 action films and directed four, including the last one released three years ago entitled "Bullet for Justice." In most he played good guys fighting criminals.
He said the incident has forced him to suspend work as director and star of his latest film about life as a local council member.