Quarrel over bets leads to shooting

CEBU CITY — A heated argument about candidates in tomorrow’s barangay elections led to an alleged shootout between a tanod and a member of the barangay intelligence network (BIN) in a northern village here last Friday, the first such violent incident related to the polls in the city.

Tanod Nepomuceno Tariman, 54, sustained a bullet wound in the left cheek after the alleged shootout with BIN member Antonio Inocando.

Tariman is the brother of incumbent Barangay Pit-os chairman Nil Tariman, who is seeking re-election, while Inocando is the brother of Tomas Inocando Jr., who is running for councilman.

The two reportedly met at the barangay hall and discussed, among other issues, the candidacies of their respective brothers.

At the height of their conversation, Tariman reportedly said he would not vote for Inocando’s brother, arguing that he (Tomas) has not done anything for the community.

Apparently irked by the comment, Inocando lashed back at Tariman for not wearing the tanod uniform. Inocando, himself a former tanod, said that if he were in charge of the tanods, he would not allow his men to report for work improperly attired.

Inocando cut the conversation short and decided to head home. But Tariman followed him, wanting to continue their argument.

Tariman told police investigators at the hospital, that Inocando suddenly drew a gun and fired at him, hitting him in the face.

Inocando, however, told reporters at the city police stockade that it was Tariman who fired at him first and that he was only forced to shoot back to defend himself.

Inocando surrendered to the Talamban police station after the incident. He yielded a .357 Magnum pistol with three live bullets and three spent shells.

Police, however, recovered no gun from Tariman, putting into doubt Inocando’s claim about a shootout. — Freeman News Service