Girl killed in ‘retaliatory’ gun attack

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

An 11-year-old girl became “collateral damage” in a disagreement between her two uncles and a motorcycle rider evening of February 14, 2021 in Badiangan, Iloilo.

Mary Jean Jano succumbed to a lone gunshot injury after their house at Barangay Calansanan, Badiangan, was strafed around 8 p.m. Sunday.

She was rushed to Federico Roman Tirador Sr. Memorial District Hospital in Janiuay town but was pronounced dead on arrival.

In a follow-up operation, police arrested April John Valle at his sibling’s house in Barangay Jibolo, Janiuay.

Lieutenant Ma. Doreen Losaria, Badiangan police chief, said the victim, along with several cousins, were watching television at their grandfather’s house when gunfire erupted.

The victim’s aunt Rosalie Cepeda claimed that Mary Jean was sitting on a grating (banggerahan) when the suspect and at least two other companions strafed their house.

The victim’s grandfather quickly told the kids to duck for cover.

But Mary Jean was already hit on her head and fell to the floor.

Cepeda said they recognized the 33-year-old Valle, a resident of Barangay Matag-ub, Janiuay, as one of the suspects based on the short pants he was wearing.

Her father and the victim’s grandfather were able peep through the hole. She even saw him laughing right after spraying bullets at their house.

 

FRACAS

Losaria said the strafing incident apparently stemmed from an earlier commotion that happened between the suspects’ group and the victim’s uncles, brothers Richard and Joseph Yucogco in Janiuay town around 5:30PM.

Richard narrated that they had a misunderstanding with Valle after the latter blocked their truck with his motorcycle.

Richard said he confronted Valle until a heated argument ensued between them.

The verbal tussle ended with the two groups exchanging punches.

Richard said he punched Valle after he kicked the truck’s door.

The two groups were later taken to the Janiuay Police Station where they agreed to settle things.

Richard said he was surprised after Valle’s group attacked their house.

 

DENIAL

Despite the victim’s positive assertion, Valle has denied that he had anything to do with the incident.

He claimed he has nothing to regret as he did not attack anyone.

Valle insisted that he has never been to Calansanan village for some time already.