Shootout in talisay 4 men killed in bloodbath

CEBU, Philippines – A night of supposed to be a thrilling amusement highlighted by a magical show turned into a bloodbath.

At least four persons, including a barangay councilman, were killed while two others were injured when two warring groups open fired at each other in the middle of the crowd watching a variety show Friday night in barangay Maghaway, Talisay City.

Police identified the fatalities as Maghaway councilman Pedro “PD” Delvo, 51, a member of an indigenous group called Alimaong; Junifer Villacencio Jr., 24, a resident of barangay Bagakay, Toledo City who was temporarily residing in the place; Melchor Tabay, 19, a resident of Digaki, Toledo City; and Alex Murallios, Delvo’s son-in-law.

According to police report, Delvo was killed “on the spot.” Aside from sustaining stab wounds to the head, his head was smashed with a rock.

Investigators recovered from Delvo a .45 caliber pistol, a magazine with four live ammunitions from his back pocket, and another magazine of an Ingram submachine gun with 16 live ammunitions.

An Ingram submachine gun was recovered 30 feet away from Delvo’s body.

Villacencio sustained a gunshot wound to his left chest. Police reportedly recovered from his pocket a .45 caliber gun with five live ammunitions.

Tabay succumbed to a gunshot wound in his left chest.

Tabay, Villacencio and barangay tanod Felix Abacahan worked at a housing subdivision near the area.

Abacahan sustained gunshot wounds to his stomach and right leg. He was already declared “stable” by physicians at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, said Talisay City Police Station chief Superintendent Henry Biñas.

Also injured was Joven Caparida, a motorcycle-for-hire driver. He was hit in his neck but was already declared out of danger.

Biñas told reporters that based on their initial investigation, the group of Delvo arrived and opened fire at Abacahan and his companions, who were watching the show.

The police official said Delvo and Abacahan had an “old grudge” that resulted in the bloody confrontation.

Biñas, who rushed to the crime scene together with his men around 10:20 p.m. Friday, said that it was either Abacahan or Villacensio who returned fire at Delvo and his group. 

Biñas said it was evident that they had retaliated as Murallios, an ally of Delvo, died from a gunshot wound in his head.

To determine who participated in the shootout, Biñas ordered that all fatalities, the injured and the tanods on duty that night be subjected to a paraffin test.

 Both groups could have other members present that night since only two guns were recovered from the crime scene. The knife that killed Delvo was missing.

The police chief said that Delvo, whose Alimaong identification card only states that he was a member of the group, was allegedly the “leader” of the tribal group, which reportedly has 30 members in the area.

Sources said Delvo was once a member of the National People’s Army.

According to witnesses, the conflict of Delvo and Abacahan started years ago when Delvo reportedly hit the leg of a female relative of Abacahan with his gun.

The woman was reportedly badly injured that her leg had to be amputated.

Biñas said they had to verify such allegations. But based on police records, Delvo survived a shooting by two men three years ago.

One of the suspects, reportedly a member of Abacahan’s group, was already found guilty.

Biñas said Delvo had reportedly been suspecting that Abacahan was one of the suspects.

Maghaway barangay captain Edwin Cabatas said Delvo and Abacahan would not talk to each other while inside the barangay hall.

Police also recovered from the crime scene eight empty shells and two empty magazines of .45 caliber pistol, and a rock reportedly used in smashing Delvo’s head.

Biñas said they are still determining what case should be filed against Abacahan, who claimed that he and his companions acted in self-defense during the incident. — /LPM (THE FREEMAN)