Cousins dead, one hurt in Ajuy shooting episode

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Two cousins were killed in a gun attack in Ajuy, Iloilo on Aug 2, 2020.

Police identified the fatalities as Alberto Herida, 45, and Rolly Herida, 44, both residents of Sitio Nabitasan, Barangay Tipacla, the area where the shooting episode happened.

Alberto’s older brother, 65-year old Primitivo, was injured.

Police Captain Roy Castro, Ajuy police chief, identified the suspect as Romeo Balino, Jr., 37, also a resident of Nabitasan village.

The suspect is a seafarer and brother of the barangay captain of Nabitasan.

Castro said the incident stemmed from a petty argument between the suspect and victims who were allegedly drunk.

At around 8 pm Saturday, the two slain men and a certain Lovic Estacion were having a drinking spree at the latter’s store.

Shortly later, Primitivo and the suspect arrived and joined the group.

At around 10 pm, Primitivo decided to go home and left the four men to continue their drinking binge.

All went well until around 12:30 am Sunday.

An argument erupted until Balino drew a handgun.

The two victims subsequently grappled for the gun.

Castro said Estacion managed to take away the gun from Balino’s grip and kept it inside his store.

He then told the three men to go home.

Both Alberto and Rolly left the store and went to Primitivo’s house.

Balino later on forced Estacion to hand over his gun.

“Estacion had reservations but Balino threatened him,” Castro said in vernacular.

The store owner subsequently yielded to Balino’s demand thinking that the latter will just go home.

But the suspect proceeded to Primitivo’s house.

Primitivo said he was taken by surprise when a bullet wheezed through his nose.

The same bullet apparently landed on his back and went through his shoulder.

Balino then went to the house’s kitchen and kicked open the door.

He again shot Rolly and Alberto.

Primitivo’s wife allegedly tried to pacify the suspect but he went on to pump bullets into the victims.

The victims were rushed to Sara District Hospital but Rolly and Alberto did not survive.

Balino fled to a mountainous area of Tipacla and remains at large.

Recovered from the scene were six empty shells and a live ammunition of caliber .45 pistol.