Woman killed, two hurt in Dueñas shooting incident

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A woman was killed while two others were injured after an unidentified gunman opened fire at them at noon on March 23 in Dueñas, Iloilo.

Police identified the slain victim only by her alias, Marigold, 49, of Zone 3, Barangay Tacas, Jaro, Iloilo City.

The incident injured alias Wilbert, 45, a car mechanic from Barangay Ulanghuwan, San Enrique, Iloilo, and alias Blondie, 42, of Poblacion A, Dueñas.

Reports said Marigold, Wilbert, and a certain Gerry were on board a Ford Ranger Wildtrak pickup truck from Passi City.

They were supposed to head to Iloilo City but had to stop at the roadside along Poblacion A, Dueñas, after the vehicle experienced mechanical trouble due to engine overheating.

While Wilbert was fixing the vehicle, Marigold stayed under an Indian mango tree while using her phone.

It was then that a red sedan stopped in front of an auto shop and its occupant opened fire at them.

The gunman then sped off toward the direction of Iloilo City.

Marigold sustained injuries on different parts of her body, while Wilbert also suffered a gunshot wound on the right upper back.

Blondie was hit by a stray bullet on her right leg.

Gerry survived the incident physically unscathed.

They were all rushed to Don Valerio Palmares Sr. Memorial District Hospital in Passi City, but Marigold was pronounced dead at 1 p.m.

Police recovered 23 fired shells from a 5.56mm rifle.

The recovery of 23 spent shells from a high-powered 5.56mm rifle suggests a sustained burst of gunfire, indicating a potentially premeditated attack rather than a spontaneous act of violence.

According to reports, the pickup truck was owned by a certain Angie.

She allegedly bought it from a buy-and-sell trader.

She claimed that when Wilbert took the vehicle from her Monday morning, he was with another person.

She said she was surprised that a woman was with them when the incident happened.

Wilbert was supposed to bring the vehicle to Iloilo City to fix the air conditioning and to do a test drive because it usually overheats.

Capt. Francis Layog, Dueñas police chief, said they are still identifying the suspect and the possible motive of the incident.