Pa, sons held for shooting riders who asked for directions

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 61-year-old father and his two sons were arrested after they allegedly shot two motorcycle riders who just asked for directions.

The incident happened at 9:30 p.m. on July 26 at Sitio Mumwick, Barangay Dangula-an, Anilao, Iloilo.

Rey Espinosa, a resident of Barangay Carmelo, Banate, and his sons, Larry Espinosa, 21, of Barangay Bularan, Banate, and Joshua Espinosa, 26, also of Carmelo village, were arrested in a hot pursuit operation at 11:15 p.m. Wednesday.

The incident claimed the life of Jerry Maravilla, 51, of Barangay Paloc Sool, Dumangas, Iloilo.

Maravilla’s companion, Rafael Salas Jr., 44, of Barangay Talongonan, Passi City, Iloilo, was also wounded during the incident.

Salas suffered a gunshot wound on the left side of his body and was rushed to Don Jose Sustiguer Monfort Medical Center in Barotac Nuevo town.

Maravilla, on the other hand, was hit on his back. He was rushed to Gov. Niel D Tupas District Hospital in Barotac Viejo town but was declared dead on arrival.

Captain Maria Fe Umiten, Anilao police chief, said Salas briefly told investigators that he and Maravilla are not close friends.

Together with some common friends, they met at a resort in Barotac Viejo on the same day.

Later that day, Maravilla asked to be brought to Anilao town.

When they reached the suspects’ house, they asked for directions to Barangay dela Paz, Banate. They then immediately sped away.

But to their surprise, the three suspects ran after them.

The father was on board a motorcycle while his two sons boarded a Honda City sedan.

The chase brought them to Barangay Dangula-an, Anilao.

The suspects blocked the victims’ path and Rey subsequently shot the suspects.

Umiten said the two sons initially reported a vehicular incident to Banate Municipal Police Station.

When policemen arrived, they learned that it was a shooting incident in the area of Anilao.

Since the suspects’ vehicle was still in the area, they were immediately tracked down and arrested.

Rey subsequently owned up to shooting the victim by himself, but the firearm they used was not recovered.

Umiten said the suspects underwent a paraffin test to check for gunpowder residue.

A case for murder was filed against the three suspects on Friday.

An additional case for frustrated murder would be filed against them once Salas is in stable condition.