Councilman, tanods claim slay try

CEBU, Philippines - A barangay councilman and six village watchmen of barangay San Roque, Talisay City have alleged that one of two men with alleged criminal records had attempted to kill them Tuesday dawn.

Councilman Rafael Chan and village watchmen Mario Gino, 48, Henry Patatag, 48, Protacio Camacho, 61, Emeterio Bacalso, 54, Jesus Derecho, and Lyndon Deiparine identified their alleged attackers as one Junry Escaro, 24, and a certain “Walo,” both residents of sitio Kimba in Cansojong, a barangay that lies adjacent to San Roque.

Chan told Banat News (sister publication of The Freeman) yesterday that they have learned that Escaro was once detained at the Talisay City Jail for stabbing a man while “Walo” is allegedly a suspect in a robbery that was carried out at the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR).

The two have allegedly fled after the incident.

Prior to the shooting, Chan said Escaro and friends were engrossed in “hantak,” the local version of  “heads or tails,” at a street corner in San Roque.

Some village watchmen on patrol spotted Escaro and his group and approached them.

They told the group to stop what they were doing because it was against the law.

Escaro allegedly got angry, went home, came back with his father, and confronted the village watchmen in the barangay hall.

Chan tried to pacify the father and son, who immediately left.

A few minutes later the barangay hall received a report about armed persons in the neighborhood.

Chan said they saw Escaro and Walo on a motorcycle at the place where they earlier confronted Escaro and his group.

Chan alleged it was at this instance when one of the men aimed his gun at them.

But no shots were fired.

It was theorized that the gun must have jammed.

Both men allegedly took off while Chan sought police assistance.

Chan said they will file a case against the two men.   (FREEMAN)