Tourists shot in Galera brawl

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – The police commander of Puerto Galera was relieved from his post pending the probe into the brawl that landed four tourists in the hospital in Oriental Mindoro Friday evening, officials said.

Oriental Mindoro Police Director, Senior Superintendent Sonny Ricablanca, said he relieved Puerto Galera police chief Superintendent James Brillantes while an investigation into the incident is being conducted.

Ricablanca identified the foreigners as Hou Kim, 38; Hoseung Kim, 34, both South Koreans; US citizen John Ghim, 45; Australian Paul Jones, and local tourist Ruel Sotto.

Friday’s incident happened around 10:30 p.m. at the Hummerhead Broadway KTV Bar in Barangay Sabang.

Brillantes, with Police Officer 1 Hermero Ondevilla and two other policemen attended the grand opening of the KTV bar. The foreigners and the local tourists were also at the event.

It was learned that one of the Koreans had a heated argument with a guest relations officer while their friend Sotto tried to pacify him. Ondevilla tried to intervene but was allegedly attacked by Sotto.

Witnesses said Sotto grabbed Ondevilla’s pistol when they grappled for a few seconds where the former got hold of the police’s firearm. Allegedly, this prompted Brillantes to fire his gun.

However, after the commotion, Sotto, Jones and Ghim sustained bullet wounds in the thigh and right foot respectively, while Hou Kim was slightly injured by a broken glass.

The other Korean and one of the policemen were slightly injured in the incident.

The victims were all brought to MMG Hospital in Calapan City for treatment.

Police filed cases of direct assault upon person of authority and frustrated murder against the foreigners and Sotto. – Arnell Ozaeta