Town hall employee shoots drinking buddy to death

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A town hall employee landed in jail after he allegedly shot dead a fellow employee evening of April 27, 2020 in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.

The suspect was identified as 56-year-old Noli Pestaño of Barangay Sohoton, Barotac Nuevo, an employee of the Barotac Nuevo local government.

Staff Sergeant Mark Anthony Carado, Barotac Nuevo police investigator, said it appeared that the incident stemmed from drunkenness.

Pestaño and the victim, 32-year-old Rey Mark Alarte of Barangay Tinori-an, Barotac Nuevo, had a drink with four other friends at the new municipal building in Barangay Tabucan.

Alarte is a contractual worker assigned at the Barotac Nuevo Municipal Environment and Natural Office.

Carado said the two had a misunderstanding because they were already drunk.

At the height of their argument, Pestaño drew a caliber .9mm pistol from his waist and shot Alarte on the left side of his face.

The victim was taken to Don Jose Sustiguer Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital in Barotac Nuevo where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Pestaño was arrested. Cops recovered the .9mm pistol from his possession.

Police are still looking into the report that a government vehicle was used in purchasing liquor the group consumed.