2 dead, 3 injured in shooting spree

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Two persons were dead while three others were injured in separate shooting incidents in three cities in Negros Island in the past two days.

In Negros Oriental, a 42-year-old man died after he was gunned down by two unidentified men on a motorcycle at Barangay Banga, Bayawan City yesterday.

Killed was Geraldo Lopez of Barangay Malabugas.

Investigation showed that the victim was driving a motorcycle with a companion to Bayawan proper when the assailants, who were tailing them, allegedly shot him on the head which caused his death.

Recovered from the scene were a fired cartridge of .45 caliber ammunition, the victim’s cellular phone, and a belt bag containing a .22 caliber revolver loaded with eight live ammunitions.

In Negros Occidental, Goerge Dubrea, 33, of Barangay Bantayan, Kabankalan City was allegedly shot to death by his younger brother Raymund, 26, at the said village last Monday.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Jonel Guadalupe, city police chief, said the victim was on his way to a swamp when he was waylaid by his younger brother, who allegedly fired an improvised shotgun against him, hitting his jaw.

Dubrea succumbed to a lone gunshot wound.

The suspect surrendered to the barangay officials and he was turned over to the police.

The weapon he used was also surrendered to authorities.

Guadalupe said the suspect admitted to the crime, which was triggered by grudge.

He said the victim was also involved in a stabbing incident, victimizing his father a few years ago.

The victim’s wife refused to press charges against the suspect, who will be released from police custody after the lapse of the 36-hour reglementary detention period, Guadalupe said.

Meanwhile, three farmers were injured after they engaged in a commotion at Barangay E. Lopez, Silay City, Negros Occidental on July 8.

Wounded were Teodorico Amit, Romeo Jaranilla, and Rey Aballes.

Police Major Rollie Pondevilla, city police chief, said officials from Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) went to the village to conduct a survey validation to the agrarian reform beneficiaries when an argument ensued between the group of Aballes and Kim Laurel, and Amit and Jaranilla.

Aballes and Laurel allegedly shot Amit and Jaranilla on the stomach and right leg, respectively.

Laurel fled while Aballes was also hit on his left leg, but he did not know who shot him, Pondevilla said.

Pondevilla said police will file attempted homicide charges against Aballes while frustrated homicide charges will be filed against Laurel who is at large.

Also, Juanito Amit was arrested and will be facing charges for attempted homicide after he allegedly shot another person who was able to evade the bullet. He will also be charged for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition after he yielded a .38 caliber. He is detained at the police station.

Pondevilla said Aballes was not placed under police custody because the 18-hour detention period already lapsed.