Nine hurt in fish port shooting

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Nine persons, including a minor, were wounded in a shooting incident inside the Iloilo Fishing Port Complex at Barangay Tanza-Baybay, City Proper, Iloilo City.

Police Major Francisco Paguia, Iloilo City Police Station (ICPS) 1 chief, said the incident happened around 8:30 p.m. on April 21, 2020.

Police identified the victims as Welix Asong, 44, a fish vendor, of Barangay Tanza-Bonifacio, City Proper, and  Jonas Delagon, 19, of Barangay Rizal Pala-Pala, City Proper, Iloilo City; and Ronnie Genovaña, 46, also a fish vendor and resident of Tanza-Bonifacio.

Also wounded were Edran Locsin, 20; Vincent Barrios, 36; and Joebert Gabion, 31. All are residents of Barangay Tanza-Baybay.

Hermie Carboledo, 21, of Barangay Jayobo, Lambunao, Iloilo; Crismund dela Torre, 22, of Barangay Tanza-Bonifacio, City Proper, and an unnamed minor were also hurt.

The suspects were identified as security guards Romel Perez, 33, of Barangay Agmanaghaw, Mina, Iloilo, and Teody Alvarez, 29, of Barangay Dolores, Dumalag, Capiz.

Before the shooting episode, Paguia said a commotion occurred when the two security guards allegedly confiscated the empty fish tubs (banyera) of the victims.

Paguia explained that last week, it was agreed that non-wholesalers will be barred from the Iloilo Fish Port Complex effective April 18.

Aside from security guards, five members of the PNP Maritime Group and two from the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) were deployed to the area.

“The temporary prohibition of fish vendors was done for fish port complex buyers and sellers to practice physical distancing,” Paguia said.

But some fish vendors, who are not wholesalers, continue to enter the complex.

For three days, from Saturday to Monday, security personnel advised unauthorized buyers to go home.

But on Tuesday, the security guards had to confiscate their tubs to end their practice, Paguia said.

A heated argument erupted until a group of vendors and helpers allegedly attacked the two security guards.

Paguia said they secured a video showing the victims hurling ice at the two security guards.

“They (security guards) tried to back off but the group continued stoning them with ice,” he said.

When they were almost cornered, Alvarez issued a warning shot using his 12-gauge shotgun which was aimed at the pavement.

Perez also fired a warning shot using a caliber .9mm pistol.

Paguia said all the victims suffered minor injuries after ricocheting pellets and concrete splinters from the pavement hit them.

Eight victims initially sought treatment from Iloilo Doctors’ Hospital. One was not initially recorded, as he did not seek immediate treatment.

They were later discharged.

The security guards surrendered to ICPO 1.