Man shoots fellow worker dead, then self

CEBU, Philippines - A man shot his co-worker dead before killing himself on Wednesday in Barangay Biasong, Talisay City.

Fighting cock handler Roel Tirado, 40, died on the spot after he was allegedly shot twice by fellow fighting cock handler Romelo Gelpe, 42, who then reportedly committed suicide.

Investigation showed that Tirado, a resident in the same barangay, was conditioning one of the fighting cocks inside Chaw-Chaw Game Farm at Zone 4 Wednesday afternoon when Gelpe arrived and shot him in the head and back.

According to witnesses, Gelpe then ran towards the staff house some 80 meters away and drank malathion, an insecticide.

He then shot his head using a cal. 45 pistol.

Police Officer 2 Edwin Campomanes of Talisay City Police Station said that one of the motives they are looking into the incident is Gelpe's alleged grudge against Tirado over his attitude.

Witnesses further claimed that Tirado had a bad attitude towards some of his co-workers at the farm, including Gelpe.

Gelpe, a native of Himamaylan, Negros Occidental, may have been envious of Tirado who had been working in the farm for around eight years, according to the police.

Campomanes said that Tirado's wife, in an interview, said that her husband mentioned to her that Gelpe had been looking at him differently.

Police believe that Gelpe had planned the crime.

They recovered an alleged suicide letter from the suspect's possession, which read that he wanted to be buried beside his grandfather's tomb.

"Dako ang posibilidad nga dili niya gusto mapriso unya nakonsensya siya maong nagpakamatay," said Campomanes.

Gelpe was brought to Talisay District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival while Tirado was pronounced dead by the Talisay Rescue Emergency Action Team (TREAT).

Police found the firearm at the crime scene. (FREEMAN)