1 dead, another hurt in two shootings

CEBU, Philippines – A barangay tanod died while another person was injured after they were shot in separate incidents in the southern town of Dalaguete over the weekend.

The first incident happened dawn yesterday in Barangay Bulak when barangay tanod Antonio Acosta, 30, was shot by a 17-year-old boy he reportedly had a conflict with. Acosta died instantly after the bullet pierced his left chin.

The suspect immediately fled and is now being hunted down by authorities.

SPO1 Veronico Centino of the Dalaguete Police said personal grudge might have been the motive behind the incident. The two, Centino said, were earlier seen engaged in a fistfight.

Meanwhile, Alan Milay, a 30-year-old farmer and resident of Barangay Sacsac, was wounded on his nape after he was shot by one Christopher Belandres, 30, in Barangay Obo past 11pm last Saturday.

Centino said the two had been at odds over some personal matters. The shooting happened when the two accidentally met at the place where the suspect resides.

The victim was rushed to the Cardinal Rosales Memorial Hospital, but was later transferred to a hospital in Cebu City because of the seriousness of his situation.

The suspect, on the other hand, fled and is still being pursued by policemen.

Authorities recovered from the crime scene the motorcycle driven by the victim. - Niña G. Sumacot and Brenda D. Batuto of Banat News/JMO (FREEMAN)