1 dead, 3 injured in San Fernando, Carcar shootings

CEBU, Philippines - One was killed when a still unidentified gunman fired shots at four men who were on their way home 3am yesterday in Barangay Can-asojan, Carcar City.

Around the same time in the neighboring town of San Fernando, the chief tanod of Barangay Balungag sustained a gunshot wound on his abdomen when he was shot while walking home from an awarding ceremony.

In the Carcar incident, siblings Jose and Wilfredo Ambolode, 22 and 23 years old, respectively; Janwine Lantape, 22; and one other identified only as Clifford, were on board a motorcycle when the suspect, also on board a motorcycle, drove past them and opened fire.

Lantape, the one driving the motorcycle, was hit on the head while the Ambolode siblings were hit on their arm and chest. Clifford, who was riding at the rearmost part of the motorcycle, managed to scamper away to safety.

Initial investigation said that Lantape kept on stopping the motorcycle because of the bad condition of the road when they were ambushed at a dark and quiet area in sitio Langub, Barangay Can-asojan. 

The victims reportedly came from a dance in the same sitio.

The victims were rushed to the Carcar City District Hospital, but Lantape did not make it there alive. The Ambolodes brothers who were in critical condition were subsequently transferred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

Insp. Patrocinio Baylosis, deputy director of the Carcar City Police, said it is possible that the victims were not the real targets because they never had prior negative record.

Police are now looking for witnesses who can possibly identify the suspect.

Meanwhile, in San Fernando, Barangay Balungag chief tanod Carlito Obial, 48, was walking home from an awarding ceremony when waylaid by the suspect. Obial sustained a gunshot wound on his abdomen. The basketball court where the awarding ceremony was held is located just a few kilometers from Obial’s house.

Investigating officer PO3 Marjukin Misouri said the suspect immediately fled after shooting Obial.

Responding policemen SPO2 Victor Cuyno and Obial’s fellow tanods Cosme Sato and Leonardo Ciarot rushed the victim to the Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Hospital.

Misouri said further investigation will be undertaken to determine the suspect and the motive of the shooting. — Niña G. Sumacot and Mylen P. Manto/JMO (THE FREEMAN)