Tanod dies, woman critical in weekend shootings

CEBU, Philippines - A barangay tanod was killed while another woman is in critical condition following two separate shooting incidents in San Fernando town and Lapu-Lapu City last Saturday evening.

In San Fernando, the victim was identified as Allan Ladica, 30. He met his untimely death when the chief tanod of Barangay Pitalo shot him accidentally during an operation against illegal gambling locally known as “hantak” in sitio Baybayon in the same barangay.

The suspect, Cresente Generale, 64, is now the subject of a manhunt operation.

Ladica was taken to the South General Hospital in Naga City, but was declared dead on arrival. He suffered a gunshot wound on his stomach.

PO1 Lauro Laurel of the San Fernando Police said Ladica and Generale were with two other tanods, Mario Borres and Walter Caamino, during the raid. When they arrived in sitio Baybayon, Generale reportedly pulled out his caliber .45 pistol and fired five warning shots on the ground. The fifth shot, however, ricocheted and hit Ladica on the stomach.

“It was accidental shooting kay sila may kauban sa ronda apan sa kadanghag iya na hinuong kauban ang naigo,” Laurel said.

Police recovered five empty shells and a deformed slug of a caliber .45 pistol. Because of the incident, the team failed to arrest the gamblers.

S/Insp. Carlos Reyes, chief of the San Fernando Police, said they are now investigating why Generale had a firearm with him, considering that tanods are not authorized to carry guns. Generale is facing charges for homicide.

“Whatever ang daganan sa kaso, I advised the family to settle everything in the court,” Reyes told The Freeman. 

Meanwhile, a woman is in critical condition after she was shot twice by motorcycle riding men in sitio Naga, Barangay Babag 2, Lapu-Lapu City.

The victim, Maria Liz Alcantara, married, a resident of sitio Ilaya, Barangay Agus, was waiting for someone along the road when two men on board a motorcycle arrived. The man riding in pillion, identified by Alcantara as a certain Warren, disembarked and talked briefly with the victim. Suddenly, the suspect pulled out a gun and shot Alcantara on the face and upper left chest.

PO2 John Carlo Jocutan of the Lapu-Lapu City Police, said Alcantara still managed to run to the barangay gymnasium and seek help.

Residents in the area rushed her to the Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital. She was later transferred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

Jocutan said the incident could be drug related. Alcantara’s live-in partner is allegedly a drug pusher. Alcantara reportedly appeared she had just taken drugs during the incident.

“Possible lang wala ni siya ni-remit sa iyang kita maong giinitan,” Jocutan said. — (FREEMAN)