Trader pokes gun, mauls 15-year-old girlfriend

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A slap on her face roused a 15-year-old girl from sleep at their family’s home in Dueñas, Iloilo.

The attack was courtesy of the girl’s 47-year-old businessman boyfriend, Joseph, a resident of Barangay Cubay, Jaro, Iloilo City.

He owns a catfish hatchery in Dumangas, Iloilo.

According to police reports, Joseph barged into the girl’s home unannounced around 11 a.m. on Oct 15.

Before she could even process what happened to her, the man allegedly pulled her hair and banged her head on the wall.

The girl’s 14-year-old sister said Bong also punched her sister in the head.

Staff Sergeant Jenny Laranja, Dingle Municipal Police Station-Women and Children’s Protection Desk officer, said that the two girls’ parents were not home during the incident.

Their mother was doing their laundry while their father was at work.

The girl’s sister said she immediately got out of the house to ask for help from their relatives.

When their uncle went to their house to pacify them, Jaleco allegedly drew a caliber .22 revolver from his bag and poked it at the uncle.

The uncle retreated and went out of the house.

The suspect then poked the gun at his girlfriend, who at that time was shaking in fear.

Laranja said police made a quick response after the victim’s younger sister personally reported the incident.

The area where it happened was just around a kilometer from the police station.

When policemen arrived, the suspect and the victim were already out of the house.

“He was forcing the girl to go with him,” Laranja said.

But when Jaleco saw police operatives, he did not resist and yielded his handgun loaded with 5 bullets.

Laranja said that the suspect apparently threw a fit of anger after learning that the girl went to a community dance and drank liquor in Passi City.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act) and RA 10591 Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) were filed against the suspect before the Iloilo Provincial Prosecutors Office on Monday.

PREVIOUS INFRACTION

Jaleco was also named as the suspect behind the shooting incident that hurt a delivery truck helper on July 7, 2022.

Major Shella Mae Sangrines, Iloilo City Police Station 1 chief, earlier identified Jaleco as the one who shot Jose Palacios, 34, of Garcia Apartment, Barangay Sto. Domingo, Arevalo, Iloilo City.

Palacios, who hails from Sagay City, Negros Occidental, works as a helper at JSL Delivery Truck Services.

He suffered a graze wound on his upper left wrist.

Reports indicated that Palacios and his co-worker were unloading dry goods at a 7-Eleven branch in the corner of Jalandoni St. and Aurora Subdivision, Barangay Anita, City Proper, Iloilo City when a misunderstanding ensued between him and the suspect.

The assailant drew an unknown firearm from his pocket and shot Palacios.

The gunman, who was deemed under the influence of liquor and was wearing a half-faced black helmet, immediately fled on board his motorcycle.

The suspect was with a female companion when the incident happened.

The images of the suspect and his companion were captured on CCTV footage, which helped identify them.

There could be no compelling reason for the suspect to shoot Palacios, except that he was offended by the victim staring at his companion who was wearing a pair of shorts.