Panganiban, Catanduanes – A grieving father is calling for justice for his son, Dennil Fulton, 27, of Barangay Cabuyoan, who was fatally shot by police on January 3, 2025, allegedly during an altercation.
In an exclusive interview with Radyo Peryodiko, the Dennis Fulton expressed his anguish, criticizing the police’s swift and violent response to his son’s behavior. He argued that the incident could have been handled diplomatically by barangay officials instead of resorting to lethal force.
Dennil was shot while holding a machete. According to police reports, he allegedly resisted and attempted to attack officers, prompting them to open fire. A video that surfaced online shows Dennil being followed by approximately five men as he moved away from the police. The footage also captures him shouting and confronting the pursuing officers multiple times.
“There were other ways to subdue my son without killing him,” lamented the elder Fulton. “They could have incapacitated or arrested him properly instead of taking his life. He hadn’t done anything wrong yet,” he added.
The father shared that Dennil had arrived from Manila on December 21, 2024, but exhibited unusual behavior. Since his return, Dennil often acted strangely and made bizarre statements, such as claiming to be God or that his family had suddenly become wealthy.
Adding to his emotional burden, Dennil reportedly struggled with the news that his younger sibling, who was still in senior high school, had become a parent—something he believed their father had neglected to address.
The family expressed frustration over the apparent lack of coordination by authorities before the incident. “If they had talked to us, this could have been prevented,” said the father.
The family announced plans to file a case against the police after Dennil’s burial, asserting that justice must be served for his untimely death.
Meanwhile, the Catanduanes PNP confirmed that an investigation into the incident is underway. While initial statements suggested that the police action was justified, the matter is being reviewed by their legal department.
The PNP assured that they respect the family’s decision to file charges and are willing to cooperate fully with the investigation. The Provincial Command is expected to issue an official statement in the coming days. (BP NEWSTEAM)