Birthday party gun attack hurts brothers

By Jennifer P: Rendon

Two brothers were wounded after they were shot at a birthday party in Batad, Iloilo afternoon of July 15.

Injured were Benjie Esteban, 34, and Noel Esteban, 37, both residents of Barangay Pasayan, Batad.

Police tagged their relative, 31-year-old Rose Ann Esteban, and her live-in partner, Juluincy Laña, 37, as suspects.

Police accounts said the brothers were at a relative’s birthday party when the couple arrived around 4:25 p.m. Saturday.

An eyewitness claimed that Rose Ann flashed her middle finger at Benjie and later signaled him to come near her.

Benjie subsequently approached the woman, who then told her lover to shoot the former.

Benjie was hit on a portion of his head and left shoulder.

When Noel saw what happened to his younger brother, he came to his defense.

But Laña also shot him in the right shoulder.

The victims were rushed to the nearest hospital and later taken to Iloilo City for further treatment.

Captain Jaypee Silvestre, Batad police chief, said the suspects immediately fled after the incident.

Rose Ann hopped onto a motorcycle and sped off while Laña fled on foot.

But members of Batad PNP cornered the woman during a hot pursuit operation.

Silvestre believed that Laña sought refuge in the mountainous part of either Batad or San Dionisio town.

Reports said that old grudges emanating from land conflict triggered the incident.