Man, 61, killed over bamboo plant row

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 61-year old man was shot to death morning of August 31 at Concepcion, Iloilo.

Wilmer Franco, a resident of the island barangay of Dungon, suffered injuries on the different parts of his body.

Major Jonah Galicha, Concepcion police chief, said the murder weapon could have been a 12-gauge shotgun based on the victim’s wounds.

It appeared that the conflict between the victim and the suspect, 25-year-old Vivs Paul Gabasa stemmed from bamboo plants.

Early that day, Franco allegedly warned the suspect’s father against taking of bamboos in their property.

“Hinambalan n’ya nga indi magkuha kawayan kay malayo na kuno sa property nga ila sang mga suspect,” Galicha said.

This apparently irked Gabasa’s father who immediately left. He then mentioned the confrontation to the suspect.

Gabasa apparently planned his revenge. He waylaid the victim who was making charcoal.

Meanwhile, other reports claimed that Franco has also warned the suspect last week against taking bamboo from their property.

The family believed he could have already harbored ill feeling against the victim.

Galicha said they immediately conducted a manhunt operation against the suspect who still remains at large as of press time.