Amulet fails to save man's life

CEBU, Philippines - A 53-year-old man, who claimed to have an “anting-anting” (amulet), died when he engaged policemen in a shootout in Barangay Pitalo, San Fernando last Saturday evening.

Danilo Pardillo was allegedly the first to attack the police by the use of a bolo and gun challenging them to hit him, believing he would not get hurt because he is protected by his trinket.

Unfortunately, he sustained several gunshot wounds and died at the Carcar District Hospital where he was rushed for treatment.

Police said that at around 8:25 p.m., twin brothers Siegfred and Siegren Alfeche ran to the barangay to seek assistance from tanods, claiming that they were mauled and shot by Pardillo.

The barangay tanods, led by Arnel Cangqui immediately responded but later on decided to call for police assistance when they noticed that Pardillo was armed.

Responding policemen PO3 Leoncio Salubre Jr., PO3 Jesus Bontilao and PO2 Alvin Enad then searched for the whereabouts of the suspect but were forced to move back after the latter attacked them.

The police officers introduced themselves and asked Pardillo to surrender but the latter allegedly dared them to shoot him. At the height of their negotiations, the suspect allegedly fired shots at the policemen and escaped towards a dark portion of the place.

“Pag-abot sa mga pulis, nanghagit ni siya nga pusilon siya kay dili lagi kuno siya madutlan. Murag naa kuno siyay anting-anting ba,” said SPO1 Francisco Salubre, desk officer of San Fernando Police Station

The police officers then tried to locate Pardillo but he suddenly attacked PO3 Salubre using a 22-inch long bolo. Luckily, the police officer was able to parry the attack by the use of a flashlight.

A commotion then ensued and the police officers were left with no choice but to shoot Pardillo to defend themselves.

Pardillo was brought immediately to Carcar District Hospital but died a few minutes later due to fatal gunshot wounds.

The Alfeche twins told police that the trouble started when Pardillo’s daughter, identified as Marie Fe, 23, waylaid them on the middle of the road and confronted them about a certain problem that later resulted in an altercation.

“Murag naa na ni bangi daan ang kaluha ug si Marie Fe. Nanagpa mani si Marie Fe gani sa kaluha pero nipalayo lang ang kaluha human sa pagsagpa,” Salubre said.

When Pardillo learned of the incident, he allegedly attacked and mauled the twins prompting them to seek assistance from the barangay tanods.

Salubre defended his colleagues, saying they responded to the alarm when the tanods sought their help and were forced to shoot Pardillo to defend themselves as the suspect was armed and dangerous. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/WAB (THE FREEMAN)