Toughie kills storeowner over bottle of liquor

A bottle of liquor cost the life of a 38-year-old storeowner in Antipolo City whom a neighborhood toughie shot dead over the weekend for refusing him the alcoholic drink on credit.

The victim, Reynaldo Debang, of Purok Imelda, Sitio Sagipin, Barangay de la Paz, Antipolo City, sustained three gunshot wounds and died while being rushed to the Antipolo District Hospital.

The suspect, Carling Kabayan, escaped after the incident. He is now being hunted down.

Initial investigation showed that Debang was tending his sari-sari store at about 2:45 p.m. Sunday, when a drunk Kabayan asked for a bottle of Ginebra San Miguel.

Kabayan wanted to buy the liquor on credit, but Debang refused, saying the suspect should first settle his old debts.

The suspect said he would pay his debts as soon as he has money. He was enraged when Debang told him to go to other stores.

Witnesses said Kabayan, at the height of the verbal tussle, pulled out a caliber .38 revolver and shot Debang. — Non Alquitran