Guard facing two murder raps

CEBU, Philippines — Two counts of murder will be charged against the security guard suspected of shooting and killing two men in Sitio Antonio, Barangay Calamba, Cebu City,last Friday morning, March 27.

This according to the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) after it was confirmed that the second victim in the incident also died later that night.

The deceased was identified as Renato Belanizo, 52, who passed away at around 6:59 P.M. on Friday while in critical condition at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center. He was shot along with Vicente Gemuta, 42, who was declared dead on arrival shortly after the incident.

Meanwhile, the suspect was identified as Joel Rentuma, 48, a resident of SitioArca, Barangay Punta Princesa, and a security guard assigned at a towing service company located across the crime scene.

Last Friday, Rentuma was initially charged with murder and frustrated murder after being arrested by police immediately at his workplace.

Initial police investigation showed that the incident occurred at around 10:15 A.M. on that day while Belanizo and Gemuta were sitting on the side of the road when the suspect suddenly arrived and shot them several times. The two were seen lying side-by-side covered in blood.

It was previously reported that the motive of the crime was Rentuma's personal grudge against the victims, whom he claimed had repeatedly bullied him.

That day, the two allegedly humiliated him in front of his child who was delivering lunch to him, prompting him to shoot them.

In an interview over Brigada News FM Cebu, Gemuta’scommon-law wife, Christine Villela, expressed grief over the fatal incident, denying allegations her husband bullied Rentuma.

“Sir guard,nalipaynaka? Wala man untanisalaakongbananimo… Mo-ingonkanagi-bully ka, kanus-a man kagi-bully?” she said.

She added that her husband has never bullied anyone, instead describing him as goofy.

Villela also expressed regret over the incident because she did not witness it, calling out the people present that time who only took videos and pictures of the two victims rather than immediately calling for help from the police or paramedics.

“Akongbanagahaponpwede pa man unta ma-revive pa. Angmgataokaningmgachismosamang-reels (ug) dilinamangalikatawagog ambulance nalangunta. Angilahagiunaangipang-live angmganahitabo… kamo’ynakabalosanahitabo, peroakoganiasawawalakahibaw,” she said.

Belanizo's wife, Mariven, also said her husband did not bully the security guard, and said that it is possible that the suspect was just annoyed at the moment when the two victims were talking because he was alone at his workplace.

“Basin nasuyanasiya kay wa man gudnasiyayka-istoryadihasaatbang pod. Siyarausa,” she said.

Rentuma remains detained at the custodial facility of the SawangCalero Police Station 6, pending the completion of documents and evidence for the filing of two counts of murder against him, possibly on Monday or Tuesday this week. — (FREEMAN)