Cop faces frustrated homicide raps for shooting neighbor

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A policeman is in hot water after a gun attack that left his neighbor wounded.

The incident happened at 10:45 p.m. on May 28 at Barangay Gines Viejo, Passi City, Iloilo but the suspect, Staff Sergeant Kenn James Leyble, voluntarily surrendered several hours after.

He turned himself in to Colonel Ronaldo Palomo, Iloilo police director, at 4:40 p.m. on May 29 at Railway Street, Poblacion Ilaya, Passi City.

Lieutenant Colonel Aron Palomo, Passi City police chief, said Leyble also surrendered his PNP-issued firearm – a caliber .9mm Glock 17 pistol with serial number PNP 55520 and three magazines loaded with 10 ammunitions each.

Palomo said they are preparing a case for frustrated homicide against the suspect.

Leyble, an organic member of the Passi City Police Station, had been on detailed service at the IPPO headquarters for a few weeks already.

He was accused of shooting Juan Padernal, 41, at their place in Gines Viejo village.

Prior to the shooting episode, Padernal was on a drinking spree near the barangay hall where a beauty pageant was being held.

For some undisclosed reasons, the two had an argument.

Leyble was believed to be drunk when the incident happened.

Following their verbal altercation, the victim left on a multi-cab. Shortly after, a burst of gunfire was heard.

Padernal was hit when someone from behind shot him.

The victim was rushed to Don Valerio F. Palmares Memorial District Hospital in Passi City but was later transferred to West Visayas State University Medical Center Iloilo City for further treatment.

Witnesses saw the assailant board a motorcycle speeding towards Calinog town.

Palomo said they initially reported that the suspect was “unidentified” although they already suspected Leyble to be behind the incident.

The suspect claimed he was forced to shoot the victim thinking that the latter took a weapon when he boarded the multi-cab.

Investigators were able to recover six ammunition shells from the crime scene.