Man Shot Dead by Riding-in-Tandem Suspects in Iloilo

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 23-year-old man was killed in a shooting incident in Dumangas, Iloilo early morning of April 5.

The victim was identified as Angelo Gonzales, a resident of Barangay Sulangan, Dumangas.

He sustained two gunshot wounds to the abdomen.

Gonzales was rushed by friends to Ramon Duremdes District Hospital in Dumangas but was declared dead on arrival.

Police reports said the incident occurred around 1 a.m. Saturday after Gonzales and several friends attended a community dance in Barangay Sulangan.

He was heading home with his friend, Cezar, on a motorcycle he was driving.

Senior Master Sgt. Efren Gonzaga Jr., Dumangas police chief, said the group had left the dance hall after Gonzales got involved in a commotion.

Two other friends of Gonzales were riding a separate motorcycle as they left the event.

After dropping off Cezar, Gonzales was approached by two motorcycle-riding men at an intersection in Barangay Sulangan.

CCTV footage showed Gonzales briefly talking to the men and even resting his motorcycle on its kickstand.

Moments later, the backrider pulled out a firearm and shot him.

At the time of the attack, Gonzales’ other friends were on the opposite side of the road.

The suspects fled the scene immediately after the shooting.

Gonzaga said they have already identified a person of interest in the case.

“But we’re still investigating who was driving the motorcycle,” he said.

The alleged gunman is also a resident of Barangay Sulangan and had long-standing issues with the victim.

Gonzaga added that the earlier commotion at the community dance was unrelated to the shooting.

“Those involved in the commotion are not related to the suspects,” he said.

Police are now preparing a murder case against Gonzales’ assailants.