2 shot in Caloocan festival brawl

MANILA, Philippines - A drunk Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) employee was arrested for allegedly shooting two neighbors during a brawl that broke out during a fiesta in Caloocan City Saturday night.

Police Officer 3 Joselito Barredo identified the suspect as Alfredo Bautista, 54, assigned at the PCG headquarters in Manila.

Victim Ricardo Nepumoceno, 42, was still confined yesterday at the East Avenue Medical Center due to gunshot wounds in different parts of the body.

Another victim, Rommel Salutin, 34, who sustained a bullet wound in the leg, was also brought to the same hospital but was released later after receiving medication.

According to Barredo, Bautista, armed with a handgun of unknown caliber, shot at the victims during a confrontation after they reportedly beat up one of the suspect’s drinking buddies at around 9:30 p.m.

“There was a fiesta celebration. The suspect’s group and that of the victims’ were having a drinking bout when a street fight broke out,” Barredo said.

During the commotion, Gilbert Nartatez, 42, and Gina Nepumoceno, 39, and Bautista were hurt.

Barredo said Bautista then went home, got his handgun, and confronted the victims’ group. He shot at them, hitting Salutin and Nepumoceno, Barredo said.

Police arrested Bautista but failed to recover the suspect’s firearm “but a medical report showed that Bautista was drunk during the incident,” Barredo said.