Man charged for trying to shoot town councilor

CEBU, Philippines - Cordova town councilor Victor Tago III yesterday filed a criminal complaint for attempted murder against the man who tried to kill him while he was supervising a fiesta activity over the weekend.

Tago filed the complaint against Domingo Balacos before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. He alleged that Balacos tried to shoot him using a.45 caliber pistol at about 11:25 in the evening on August 8.

Tago said he was supervising the “Acoustics at the Kiosk,” one of the activities of their town fiesta last Saturday evening. After the activity, he reportedly accompanied performers for some refreshments at the residence of one Vic Cañete when Balacos reportedly blocked their way met him and pointed a gun on his forehead.

However, Balacos misfired and when he tried to reload the gun’s chamber, Tago took the opportunity to grapple for the firearm. With the help of his friend Jesser Pogoy, Balacos was eventually pacified and was subsequently arrested.

Balacos was reportedly with John Amores, Jr.; Nelson Maniegos alias Edgar; and a certain Wilson at the time of the incident. Balacos and his friends are all natives of Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte.

Two fully loaded magazines were also seized from the suspect. – Fred P. Languido/JMO      (THE FREEMAN)