Balut vendor sought after shooting father-son vendors in Calinog

By Jennifer P. Rendon

ILOILO CITY — A balut vendor remained at large after allegedly shooting a father and son who sold fried chicken from a mobile kiosk in Calinog, Iloilo, on the evening of Aug. 25, 2026.

Police identified the suspect only by the alias “Ronilo,” about 40, a resident of Barangay Sia in Tapaz, Capiz.

Investigators said “Elmer,” 54, and his 31-year-old son, “Precy,” both residents of Poblacion Ilaya, Calinog, were preparing to close their mobile kiosk around 9 p.m. Tuesday in Poblacion Centro.

Police Capt. Melvin Mercado, Calinog police chief, said a visibly intoxicated Ronilo arrived, approached the victims and fired a homemade break-action 12-gauge shotgun at Elmer.

Elmer was hit in the left hand, while shotgun pellets also penetrated his abdomen.

Precy, who was standing behind his father, was hit in the back.

The victims were taken to Calinog District Hospital for treatment.

Mercado said Precy sustained a graze wound and was released from the hospital.

Elmer was transferred to Western Visayas Medical Center and was in stable condition.

Ronilo fled after the shooting and left the firearm at the scene.

The Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act regulates the ownership, possession, carrying and manufacture of firearms in the Philippines and classifies shotguns as small arms.

The suspect remained at large as of Wednesday.

Mercado said police had not established a clear motive for the attack.

Mercado said investigators received information that the suspect had previously attacked people while under the influence of alcohol.

Ronilo had been selling balut in the area for about a week before the shooting occurred.