Game farm helper shoots to death fellow worker

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A game farm helper was held in police custody after he allegedly killed a fellow worker in a gun attack evening of March 17 in Cabatuan, Iloilo.

Police identified the suspect as Joyjoy Delapenya, 24, a resident of A. Bonifacio, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.

The victim, John John Piagola, of dela Rama St., City Proper, Iloilo City, suffered multiple gunshot injuries on his body. He was rushed to Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital but was declared dead an hour later.

Prior to the shooting episode, Delapenya, Piagola, and another fellow helper were on a drinking spree inside the FMG Gamefarm at Barangay Sulanga.

They were not even halfway through a bottle of rum when an argument ensued between the suspect and victim.

Major Myles Dieron, Cabatuan police chief, said Delapenya felt that Piagola was picking on him since the latter opposed almost everything he did on the farm.

Delapenya then left the drinking table and went to their sleeping quarters. Unknown to his two co-workers, the suspect retrieved a handgun he was keeping.

When he returned, he immediately pumped several bullets at Piagola.

Dieron said the suspect attempted to flee but was arrested by responding police.

No firearm was recovered in Delapenya’s possession.

He is now detained pending the filing of charges against him.