2 men die, 2 others critical in three shooting incidents

CEBU, Philippines - Two men died while two others are in critical condition after they figured in separate shooting incidents in Naga and Daanbantayan towns in Cebu City.

In the Naga incident, victims Jaypee Basalo, 21, and Harvy Baclaan, 18, were walking in Barangay East Poblacion when the suspects, who were at a drinking spree, approached them, one of whom reportedly engaged in an argument with the victims.

Later, a continuous burst of gunfire was heard.

The suspects were identified as Mark Lloyd Reponte, 19, Jayson Reponte, 18, Jicky Aguilar, 21, and Wilmar Bacayo, 21, all residents of Naga.

Basalo, a motorcycle-for-hire driver, sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died minutes after he was brought to the South General Hospital. Baclaan is in critical condition after he got shot on the mouth.

PO2 Miguel Castañares, desk officer of Naga Police Station, told The Freeman the two victims are members of Tau Gamma fraternity. The incident, he said, might be related to a fraternity war.

Police recovered a one .38 revolver, four empty shells and one live ammunition from the crime scene. The suspects are currently detained at the police station. The families of the victims are bent on filing a case against them.

Meanwhile, in the northern town of Daanbantayan, an argument on disco lights in Barangay Agujo ended the life of Marianito Pitogo Jr., 26, after the person he was arguing with shot him on the head.

Initial investigation revealed that Pitogo, who was dancing at a disco around 2am during the barangay’s feast, wanted the main light turned off and be changed with disco lights. The suspect, Diosdado Bantige, reasoned that it would be dark if they did so.

This reportedly led to an argument and a fistfight and ended with Bantige shooting Pitogo using an unknown caliber of firearm. Bantige fled right after the incident.

PO2 Rosalie Arnoco of Daanbantayan police told The Freeman Bantige is an ex-convict who served his sentence in Muntinlupa in Manila.

In Cebu City, a man who tried to pacify a fight between his neighbors in Barangay Alaska-Mambaling past 10 pm last Sunday night ended in critical condition after he sustained a gunshot wound on the head.

Analiza Camuta, 41, sister of victim Arnold Empleo, 42, told authorities his brother went to the barangay to drink with his friend identified as a certain Jun-Jun.

At that time, the suspect, Ogcel Cabo, arrived armed with a bolo and challenged Jun-Jun to a fight. Cabo reportedly has ill-feelings towards Jun-Jun.

The fight, however, did not materialize after some residents in the area intervened. A few minutes later, Cabo came back with a gun and shot Jun-Jun twice. A shootout ensued and Empleo, who reportedly tried to intervene, got shot on the left side of his head.

Empleo is fighting for his life at the Cebu City Medical Center. Cabo and Jun-Jun have reportedly gone into hiding. (THE FREEMAN)