Holy Week violence leaves 2 killed, 3 hurt

CEBU, Philippines - Two people were killed while three others, including a barangay tanod, were seriously injured in separate shooting incidents that marred the observance of the Holy Week.

A military asset in Sitio Sangi, Barangay Hagnaya, San Remegio shot two of his neighbors dead after he was allegedly threatened.

Adonis Yurag Dignos, 39, shot Danilo Pitogo Villar, 38, an employee of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and Jimmy Olivar Villar, 53, a resident of the said place.

San Remegio police chief Rolly Lauron said they are looking into other motives but they have already learned that the victims and the suspect are not in good terms.

According to Lauron, the victims got drunk and went out to confront the suspect in his house threatening to kill him and burn down the house on Good Friday afternoon.

Cooler heads prevailed then with their neighbors having persuaded the victims to go home. The victims continued drinking until late in the evening.

Dignos sneaked into the house rented by the victims Saturday dawn and started shooting them while in deep slumber. The youngest brother of Danilo who was sleeping with them was spared from the bullets and was able to identify Dignos.

The victims were rushed to Don Severo Verallo District Hospital but were declared dead on arrival. Danilo suffered a single gunshot wound on the head while Jimmy was shot on the left shoulder with the bullet piercing through his body.

Police investigators found four empty shells of 9-millimeter bullets and an extracted slug from one of the victims. Pursuing policemen immediately arrested Dignos in Barangay Poblacion while preparing to escape to Tuburan together with his wife.

 Lauron said the suspect denied any involvement to the shooting incident but he will be submitted to a paraffin test at the PNP Crime Laboratory. The police are now preparing the complaints for double murder against the suspect.

 Meanwhile, three people including a barangay tanod are now under observation in a hospital after being shot in separate incidents in Cebu City on Good Friday.

Ramil Cabajar, 27, a barangay tanod was shot twice on his body by his neighbors in Barangay Sudlon I at past 6:00 a.m. Cabajar and two others were on board a motorcycle on the way to the barangay hall to report for duty when the suspects, Romeo Navaja and Dindo Nadera, fired at them.

 The victim sustained gunshot wounds on his back and left arm. The two other passengers luckily escaped unhurt. In another shooting incident, Rafael Leonardo Tan, 33, of Proper Ermita was seriously injured after he was hot by a certain Budlat and Bogs while driving bicycle at past 10 p.m. in Barangay Kalubihan.

 A police who happened to pass by the area took the victim to the CCMC where he is now in critical condition because of the gunshot wound at his back.

 Mark Anthony Abadiano, 24, also landed in Cebu City Medical Center because of slingshot wound on the chest.

 Abadiano suspects that Marlon Bandico and Richard Pilay, whom he had engaged in a verbal tussle during a drinking session, were the ones responsible. —Edwin Ian Melecio and Niña G. Sumacot/FPL   (FREEMAN NEWS)