Miner shot dead by co-workers

CEBU, Philippines - A coal miner was killed after he was shot repeatedly by two of his co-workers in the mountain barangay of Alambijod, in the town of Argao last Friday afternoon.

The victim identified as Ireneo Carillo, 38, died immediately of gunshot wounds to the head and body after he was shot by suspects Angelito Ejalon, 28, and Roman Montejo, 31, who were later arrested by responding policemen.

Investigation revealed that Carillo, who works at Gaa Coal Mine in the Barangay Balaas of the same town, was driving a motorcycle on his way home to Sibonga town around noon last Friday to have lunch when the suspects opened fire at him when he reached Sitio Malayahay.

Police said both Ejalon and Montejo were on a motorcycle just waiting for the victim to pass by them.

The victim sustained gunshot wounds in his head and chest and fell from his motorcycle while the suspects sped off.

Larry Panerio, a resident living near the crime scene, reportedly heard six gunshots and went to check the area.  He found the bloodied victim and the suspects driving away.

Police responded to the alarm and found the victim bathed in his own blood and already dead.

About 1 p.m. yesterday, the suspects were arrested, said SPO1 Arnold Abenir, who investigated the case.

Abenir said that after getting information that Ejalon was the assailant, they proceeded to the coal mine where Ejalon works in the maintenance section and saw him.

Ejalon immediately got onboard his motorcycle and tried to flee but police caught up with him and brought him to the police station where he later confessed to shooting Carillo.

He then identified Montejo, general foreman of Alta Tierra Development and Mining Corp., as the driver of his getaway motorcycle.

“Na-rattle man unya nitug-an nga siya mao’y nagpusil. Duha sila. Nadugay iyang gitug-an. Maikog ra daw siya mutug-an kay foreman man,” Abenir told The FREEMAN.

Police then returned to the coal mine and arrested Montejo. They had no time finding him because it was payday at the mine.

“Tingsweldo man adtong tungora maong nagkatapok sila,” Abenir further said.

The suspects were reportedly motivated by a personal grudge against the victim who earlier threatened them.

“Nagbahad daw ning biktima niya nga patyon siya so iya na lang kunong giunhan,” the police investigator disclosed, “taod-taod na sad ning ilang away kuno, tungod sa suya-suya sa trabaho,” he added.

He said Ejalon was seized with a .357 cal. revolver while Montejo was found with a Frontier pistol.  The suspects are now detained and are set to face charges for murder, illegal possession of firearms, and violation of the Commission on Elections gun ban.  (FREEMAN)