One killed, 2 hurt as Navy man goes on shooting rampage

By: Jennifer P. Rendon

A 60-year-old man was killed in a shooting episode early morning of Dec. 2, 2019 in Sibunag, Guimaras.

Police Lieutenant Ma. Rosario Miranda, Sibunag police deputy chief, identified the fatality as Roel Tan, a resident of Barangay Sabang, where the incident happened.

Also injured were Roel’s 33-year-old son Raegan, and Rene Occeñola, 68, also a resident of Sabang village.

Miranda said the suspect, Jake Gersaniva, 29, a member of the Philippine Navy deployed in Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan, voluntarily surrendered after the incident.

Reports indicated that the victims and the suspect were drinking liquor at a local videoke joint in the area.

Miranda said tension rose between Gersaniva and the Raegan. They were pacified and Raegan was advised to go home.

Raegan eventually did around 12:30 a.m.

Before going home, he walked to get his motorcycle parked near the road at crossing Barangay Sabang while his father followed him.

But before Raegan could reach his motorcycle, Gersaniva repeatedly shot him.

Raegan suffered a gunshot wound on the hip while Roel was hit on the right portion of his hip, left foot, right forearm, neck and, his abdomen.

Occeñola, who was dozing off by the roadside, was hit with a stray bullet on his left foot and right forearm.

The three victims were brought to Dr. Catalino Gallego Nava Provincial Hospital in Jordan town where Roel was declared dead on arrival.

Gersaniva fled at the crime scene but turned himself in. He did not bring the firearm used in shooting the victims.

Gersaniva claimed he threw it while escaping.

Investigation indicated that the suspect and the victims held old grudges over a land dispute.

Gersaniva is detained at the lock-up cell of Sibunag Police Station pending the filing of charges against him.