Anilao shooting kills truck helper, wounds cousin

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 24-year-old truck helper was killed while his cousin was wounded after they were shot late on May 20 in Anilao, Iloilo.

Mark, 24, a resident of Sitio Luawan, Barangay San Carlos, Anilao, succumbed to a lone gunshot wound on his back that went through his chest.

The same bullet also hit the back of his cousin, Denmark, 38.

Reports said the two victims were on their way home on a motorcycle driven by Denmark.

As they were navigating San Carlos village, they were surprised when a motorcycle tailed and overtook them.

The two motorcycle-riding men eventually blocked their way.

Denmark said he could not identify the driver, but he pointed to a certain Elson, a resident of Barangay Pantalan, Anilao, as the back rider.

The suspects allegedly confronted the victims about an earlier incident at the Anilao town proper.

Master Sgt. Jonar Ortiz, Anilao police investigator, said the suspects accused the cousins of raising a middle finger at them.

But the victims denied it.

Elson then allegedly pulled out a gun and pointed it at the victims.

This prompted Denmark to speed off.

But the suspects chased them and shot them once.

The lone bullet hit both victims.

They were rushed to Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center Hospital in Barotac Nuevo, but Mark was declared dead on arrival.

A hot pursuit operation was conducted to catch the suspects, but to no avail.