Random attack or targeted hit? Dueñas shooting motive still unclear

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Dueñas Municipal Police Station has yet to identify any person of interest behind the shooting that killed a woman and injured two others at noon on March 23.

Capt. Francis Layog, Dueñas police chief, added that they have also yet to establish the motive that triggered the incident.

A day after it happened, police investigators are still in the process of retrieving CCTV footage in the area.

Layog said they have yet to talk to alias Wilbert, one of the two injured individuals.

Alias Marigold, 49, of Zone 3, Barangay Tacas, Jaro, Iloilo City, was killed after a man opened fire at them.

Aside from Wilbert, a certain Blondie, 42, of Poblacion A, Dueñas, was also injured.

Layog said he has also yet to talk to Marigold’s family to ask if there was a threat on her life.

Police have yet to establish the link between Wilbert and Marigold.

Marigold, Wilbert, and a certain Gerry were on board a Ford Ranger Wildtrak pickup truck from Passi City.

They were supposed to head to Iloilo City but had to stop at the roadside along Poblacion A, Dueñas, after the vehicle experienced mechanical trouble due to engine overheating.

While Wilbert was fixing the vehicle, Marigold stayed under an Indian mango tree while using her phone.

It was then that a red sedan stopped in front of an auto shop and its occupant opened fire at them using an M16 rifle.

Police earlier recovered 23 fired shells of 5.56mm ammunition from the scene, consistent with the M16 rifle described by witnesses, suggesting a sustained burst of gunfire that indicates a potentially premeditated attack.

The gunman then sped off toward the direction of Iloilo City.

Marigold sustained injuries on different parts of her body, while Wilbert also suffered a gunshot wound on the right upper back.

Blondie was hit by a stray bullet on her right leg.

Gerry survived the incident physically unscathed.

He was getting a pail of water at a nearby house when the suspects fired at the vehicle and his companions.

In an interview, Gerry confirmed that they were supposed to bring the vehicle to Iloilo City for a road test.

But after getting it from the house of its owner in Passi City, Wilbert drove to Don Valerio Palmares Sr. Memorial District Hospital in Passi City and fetched Marigold, who was also supposed to go to Iloilo City.

Even Gerry could not confirm the relationship between Wilbert and Marigold.