Farmer, "drug addict" shot dead in Minglanilla

CEBU, Philippines - A farmer and an alleged drug addict were shot dead Monday evening in separate incidents in Minglanilla town.

 Farmer Romeo Corpuz, 58, was found dead 500 meters from his home in sitio Kalbasaan, barangay Campo 7 with a gunshot wound on the head.

Police said Corpuz was drinking with friends at around 6 that night. 

An hour later, Corpuz went home alone. A few minutes later neighbors heard a single burst of gunfire.

When the neighbors went out to investigate, they found the Corpuz’s body.

Barangay councilman Rubie Gantalao reported the incident to the police.

An hour later, a 21-year-old man who was believed to have been suffering from mental illness due to illegal drugs was shot dead by a neighbor in sitio Teves, barangay Poblacion Ward 3.

Jessie Rico, 21, was declared dead on arrival at the Minglanilla District Hospital due to multiple gunshot wounds on the different parts of his body.

The police are now looking for Armand Orellano, 27, a motorcycle-for-hire driver, Rico’s alleged attacker who immediately fled on foot.

Chief Insp. Timmar Alam, Minglanilla police chief, said Orellano got angry when he learned that Rico had attempted to strike his father for refusing to give him some money.

After Orellano learned about the incident, he then started to look for Rico and he found at a store buying cigarettes.

Store owner Paul Manayon, 33, said that while Rico was at his store, Orellano arrived and shot Rico several repeatedly.

Rico who was already hurt tried to run but Orellano shot him twice.

He sustained gunshot wounds on the neck, left armpit, and left chest.

Poblacion barangay captain Annabelle Simene said when Orellano was still a minor, he was got involved in illegal drugs.

“Badlongon nga pagkabata, bayolente na siya, na involve pud og drugs,” Simene said.

Corazon Rico, 46, also admitted that her son was a drug user.

She said before Rico left their house that night, she told him to drink his medicine but instead he threw the medicine away.

She said Rico was jailed at the Talisay City Police Station in February 2010 and released last December.

Charges are being readied against Orellano. — (FREEMAN)