Two bodyguards killed in gun duel

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Police are eyeing misunderstanding as the reason for two bodyguards of a businessman to shoot each other to death inside a resort in Barangay 4, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental last Saturday.

Police Major James Latayon, city police chief, identified the fatalities as Fernando Silanga, 46, of Taguig City; and Gary Labrador, 46, of Bago City.

Latayon said that Silanga and Labrador figured in an altercation while they were having a team building activity at the resort.

Some of their companions tried to pacify them but Labrador allegedly fired his gun at Silanga, who also retaliated, he added.

Both bodyguards were drunk.

“Nakainom sila pareho and nag sinuya-ay,” Latayon said.

They succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds.

Police recovered from the scene cartridges of .45 and .9mm-caliber ammunitions, but the firearms used in the incident were missing.

Meanwhile, Latayon said that a van where their companions boarded was later intercepted by police in Cauayan town.

The individuals were held for questioning. But they denied any participation in the incident, claiming that the two bodyguards were in a separate cottage from them when the incident happened.

Latayon said they could not yet say if Labrador and Silanga had grudges against each other.