1 dead, 1 injured in separate shootings

CEBU, Philippines - One man died and another is in critical condition following two separate shooting incidents in the southern town of San Fernando and Mandaue City over the weekend.

The fatality was identified as Teodolfo Mendez, 59, a resident of Barangay Panadtaran, San Fernando. He succumbed to a gunshot wound on his left chest.

SPO1 Francisco Salubre said it was around 8:30 pm last Saturday when Mendez’ son noticed a man hiding suspiciously behind some banana plants at a dark portion behind their house where their fighting cocks were placed.

Informed of what his son saw, Mendez went out to check only to be greeted by a bullet on the chest. The suspect fled right away.

Salubre said it is possible that the suspect’s intention was actually to steal the fighting cocks and not to kill Mendez.

“Wa mi laing gidudahan ang motoibo ra gyud ato mangawat og manok pero nadiskuhedo man kay nasakpan maong namusil na lang,” he said.

Mendez was rushed to the South General Hospital in Naga City, but he did not make it to the hospital alive.

Meanwhile, in the Mandaue incident, the victim, Nonito “Agwang” Iway, 46, a resident of Barangay Umapad, was reportedly drinking with companions when a heated argument ensued between him and the alleged suspect, Darwin Dungog, 33. Both were reportedly already under the influence of liquor at that time.

It was alleged that Dungog pulled out an unknown firearm and shot Iway once, hitting him on the left jaw. 

Dungog, however, denied the allegation, saying it was a man who was riding in pillion on board a motorcycle who shot Iway. The suspects reportedly sped off right after the shooting.

To prove his innocence, Dungog voluntarily underwent a paraffin test at the Crime Laboratory at the Police Regional Office-7 in Camp Sotero Cabahug. 

PO1 Roldan Balingding of the Investigation and Detective Management Branch of the Mandaue City Police Office said they are waiting for the result of the paraffin test while the investigation is in progress.

Iway is confined at the Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City. — (FREEMAN)