Cops duel over ‘tong-its’

ILAGAN CITY, Isabela — Friendship ends when tong-its begins.

This happened to two members of this city’s police station who engaged in a gun duel after a heated argument over the popular game called tong-its.

SPO3 Antonio Gabriel, chief for anti-vice section, is now on technical arrest and is facing a frustrated homicide case before the Municipal Trial Court of this city for gunning down SPO4 Domingo Taccad while playing tong-its in a police sub-station at Barangay Maranan Uno Monday night. Taccad is the chief for intelligence.

Taccad, who is still in critical condition at the Isabela provincial hospital, sustained five gunshot wounds on his back and arms from the .38 caliber pistol of Gabriel.

SPO1 Modesto Ilasin, who witnessed the incident, related in his sworn affidavit that last Monday night, Gabriel and Taccad, known to be close buddies, were playing tong-its inside the sub-station in Barangay Maranan Uno.

After some hours of playing, Ilasin said Taccad complained of being cheated after he lost a series of games. The two police buddies had a shouting match, then challenged each other to a gun duel. Gabriel pulled out his gun and shot Taccad who was unable to draw his gun.

Ilasin pacified Gabriel and took the gun as Gabriel again attempted to reload it. The gun is now under the custody of the investigation section of the provincial police office.

Senior Supt. James Melad, provincial director, has directed the police provincial office legal division to file the appropriate administrative case against Gabriel. — Lito Salatan