Brother of Joel Nodalo subject of manhunt for shooting 2 men

CEBU, Philippines - The younger brother of Joel “Tongol” Nodalo who was considered as Cebu’s public enemy No. 1, shot two men in barangay Ermita in what police believe to be drug-related incidents last Saturday.

The first incident happened around 11pm when Ronaldo Calma, 24, a vendor, was in a drinking session with his friends in sitio Bato, Ermita. The suspect, Isidro Nodalo, Jr. alias Botex Nodalo, reportedly arrived and shot Calma several times then immediately fled the area.

Calma who was hit on the right portion of his head and back is currently confined at the Cebu City Medical Center.

Two hours later, Isidro was pointed to as the one who allegedly shot his relative, Edgardo Nodalo, at Ermita proper. Edgardo was also brought to CCMC.

SPO1 Wilfredo Salasa of the Carbon Police said the younger Nodalo is an ex-convict and is allegedly under the influence of drugs. Salasa said Isidro landed in jail several times for shooting incidents.

Salasa said they attempted to speak with the victims to determine the motive of the shooting, but both reportedly refused to cooperate. Salasa said it is possible that the incidents had something to do with drug-related activities.

A manhunt operation is now being conducted to arrest Isidro.

Aside from being Cebu’s public enemy number 1, Isidro’s elder brother was also tagged as ninth most wanted in Central Visayas and a local contact of a notorious robbery group. He was shot dead by a lone masked gunman inside a cockpit in Buenavista, Bohol last June 2005. He died of 14 gunshot wounds. — Niña G. Sumacot/JMO (THE FREEMAN)