Worker shot inside Danao fish port, dies

CEBU, Philippines - A Danao City employee died after he was shot by his companion inside the Danao City fish port in Barangay Poblacion after a heated argument on Thursday afternoon.

The victim who died a few minutes after arriving at the Cebu Doctor’s University Hospital was identified as Jovenir Batulan, 37, of the same barangay. He died of multiple gunshot wounds.

The suspect, Jerim Miro, 37, of Barangay Tabok Poblacion, is now detained at the Danao City police stockade pending the filing of murder charges in court.

Miro and Batulan were colleagues at the Danao City fish port.

SPO2 Ildefonso Prosia said that Miro and Batulan reportedly had a heated altercation that morning before the shooting transpired later in the afternoon.

Miro alleged that he could no longer take Batulan’s ill treatment towards him. The suspect said this prompted him to go home and take his .380 pistol which he used to shoot the victim several times.

“Ang iyang gisulti sige kuno siya ug kasab-an unya wala na siya kaagwanta maong nipauli siya ug nagdala na’g armas,” Prosia said.

Batulan had gunshot wounds on his right arm, at the back of his body and two others on his head.

Prosia said that Miro tried to elude arrest after the crime but since the police station is just fronting the port, the police were able to respond immediately and arrest him. 

Recovered from his possession were the pistol he used and three empty shells of the same caliber. A criminal case is set to be filed next week at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.  (FREEMAN)