Retired Coast Guard Charged in Iloilo Homicide

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A homicide case was filed against a retired Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel accused of fatally shooting his neighbor in Molo, Iloilo City, shortly before midnight on January 14.

The suspect, identified as 66-year-old Noel, a resident of Barangay Calumpang, Molo, was charged before the Iloilo City Prosecutor’s Office on January 16.

He was accused of shooting 41-year-old Bryan Gabuelo inside the suspect’s home at around 11:45 p.m.

Gabuelo died at around 1:15 p.m. the following day while being treated at Iloilo Doctors’ Hospital.

According to police reports, the suspect was drinking liquor inside his home when the victim, who was reportedly drunk, knocked loudly on their steel gate and arrogantly demanded food.

The suspect’s son-in-law opened the gate for the victim, who then allegedly attempted to attack the suspect.

This prompted the suspect to shoot the victim twice with a caliber .45 Llama Fabrinor Vitoria pistol, hitting him in the forehead.

The suspect surrendered to responding police officers and turned over his firearm following the incident.

Reports indicated that the two men had a prior misunderstanding.