Fish Vendor Shot Dead in Videoke Dispute in Iloilo

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A fish vendor was shot dead at a videoke bar in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo early morning of April 15 following a heated argument over a song.

The victim was identified as Reniel Barcelona, 32, a native of Dumarao, Capiz, who was temporarily residing in Barangay Lakadon, Sta. Barbara.

Barcelona sustained five gunshot wounds—two on his back, two under his armpit and one on the neck—and later died at Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital in Sta. Barbara.

Capt. Raphy Señeres, Sta. Barbara police chief, said the incident stemmed from a videoke session disagreement between Barcelona and the suspect, a 35-year-old man identified only by the alias RonRon, of Barangay San Juan, Molo, Iloilo City.

Barcelona was singing with two friends when RonRon allegedly canceled his song to take his own turn at the mic.

RonRon, who works at a KTV bar in Cabatuan town, was accompanied by eight women, including his employer and her daughter.

In response, Barcelona reportedly canceled RonRon’s reserved song during his turn, prompting a brief verbal altercation.

RonRon left the videoke bar, located on the second floor of a building along Delgado Street in Barangay Zone 4, but returned about 20 minutes later at around 2:15 a.m.

Señeres said RonRon retrieved a gun from a vehicle before reentering the bar and immediately shooting Barcelona.

The suspect fled the scene in a sedan and was believed to have gone home to Molo district before heading to Barangay Tabuc Suba, Jaro.

He was arrested later that day at around 10:35 p.m. in Barangay Sinikway, Lapuz, Iloilo City.

RonRon is now in police custody and will face murder charges.