Tanod shoots drunken man to death

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – Police are searching for a barangay watchman, or “tanod,” who fatally shot a 22-year-old drunken man at Sitio Marcel, Barangay Cansalongon, Isabela, Negros Occidental, last Thursday.

The victim was identified as Jason Carpio, a 22-year-old laborer.

Police Major Ellendie Rebusquillo, town police chief, said Carpio was reportedly drunk when he allegedly harassed his relatives and challenged them to a fight.

This alarmed his relatives, prompting them to call for the assistance of the barangay watchmen.

However, when the watchmen responded to pacify Carpio, he allegedly acted violently and attempted to hack one of them.

This prompted one of the watchmen to shoot Carpio to neutralize him. Carpio succumbed to a single gunshot wound in the chest, according to Rebusquillo.

Rebusquillo said the suspect fled, bringing with him the weapon used in the incident. Homicide charges will be filed against the suspect.

“It is only the court that can prove if it was self-defense,” he said.

Rebusquillo stated that Carpio would usually harass his relatives and cause alarm and scandal in the area. He was summoned to the barangay because of his behavior, but he refused to attend.

Rebusquillo added that watchmen are not authorized to possess or carry firearms. In light of the incident, he said they would educate watchmen in various villages in the town about this law.