Village chief jailed for shooting civilian

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY,  Capiz – A 52-year-old farmer was confined at Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital here after he was shot by a village chief Sunday at Sitio Gumawa in Barangay Bongbongan, Maayon, Capiz.

Punong Barangay Edgar Ramon, 45, of Brgy. Bongbongan is presently detained at Maayon police station after allegedly shooting Richard Soberano.

Investigation by Maayon police indicated that Ramon accompanied the Barangay Police Auxiliary Team (BPAT) and Barangay Agrarian Reform Council to Sitio Gumawa to survey the boundary of the upland areas.

The group was about to place a marker in the area when Soberano arrived. A heated argument ensued between the village chief and the victim until the latter allegedly drew a bolo and hacked the marker.

The investigation further showed that Soberano allegedly tried to hack Ramon but the village chief drew a .45-caliber pistol and shot the farmer on the left chest.

The victim was immediately taken to Bailan District Hospital but was referred to RMPH by the attending physician due to the seriousness of his injury.

Meanwhile, Ramon voluntarily surrendered to the police while appropriate charges are being readied against him.