Cops kill man, nab his kin for causing disco brawl

CEBU, Philippines - A man was killed while his father, uncle and 16-year-old brother were arrested for allegedly starting a trouble during a benefit dance in Purok 2, barangay Macopa, Tuburan town early morning yesterday.

Police said that at around 11:30 p.m. last Sunday, Bombito Sampalan, 42, a barangay tanod of the place together with his brother, Rolando Sampalan, 30, and his sons, Reynante, 18, and Jake (not his real name), 16, arrived at the dance area to celebrate the place’s coming fiesta.

Minutes later, Rolando allegedly engaged in a heated altercation against Jonel Katiwalaan, a resident of the nearby Barangay Apalan. At the height of their verbal tussle, Rolando pulled out a .357 revolver tucked in his waist that started the commotion.

Jeremia Molijon, a teacher, who is also a resident of the place, together with two tanods then stopped the benefit dance, causing an argument between Molijon and Bombito. It was then that the Sampalan family allegedly got irked, went wild and successively fired their guns.

Another teacher, Ramil Lubanga, called for police assistance at 12:52 a.m. to pacify the commotion.

Police officers led by PO2 Bismark Babiera, who responded to the alarm, saw Reynante sitting on a bamboo bench inside the disco area. But when the suspect saw the authorities, he pulled out his .38 revolver and aimed it at PO1 Joseph Sharon Esmero, prompting the other police officers to fire warning shots.

However, instead of surrendering, Reynante allegedly tried to fire the gun at the policemen. When the suspect turned his attention to Brigoli, Esmero wrestled with the former and locked his gun to prevent him from firing it.

In the middle of commotion, Brigoli shot Reynante with the use of M16 rifle hitting the latter to the left back portion of his body.

When Jake saw the body of Reynante lying on the ground on a pool of blood, he allegedly ran towards his brother, took the latter’s firearm and tried to shoot Esmero but he was quickly stopped by PO1 Arnuco, who neutralized him by hitting his left buttock.

Jake and his father Bombito were arrested but Rolando was able to elude arrest during the commotion.

Police officers recovered two .38 revolver, five live ammunitions and five empty shells from the area.

Reynante was declared dead on arrival at the nearby hospital while Jake was broguht to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City. Their father is now detained at the Tuburan Police Station while hot pursuit operation is being conducted against their uncle.

Police officers would file illegal possession of firearms, grave threats and indiscriminate firing against the suspects. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/WAB (THE FREEMAN)