Masbate village chief rapped for indiscriminate firing

MANILA, Philippines - Police are filing charges against a barangay chairman in Masbate for indiscriminately firing a gun on Christmas Eve, leaving five people wounded.

Senior Superintendent Jacinto Sison, Masbate police director, also ordered an in-depth investigation against Leo Cabarles, 36, chairman of Barangay Nabongsoran, Aroroy town. 

Sison said Cabarles’ case was the only one involving indiscriminate firing reported in Aroroy town during the Christmas Eve celebration.

Initial investigation showed that successive bursts of gunfire were heard in Nabongsoran believed coming from Cabarles’ house.

Stray bullets hit the home of one Ruben Cabarles Jr., wounding at least five people there, namely Sheryl Cabarles, 33, a day-care worker; Ruel Espares, 31, a farmer; Vicente de la Cruz; Ruben Cabarles Jr., 35; and Pfc. Glen Layderos, 26, who is based at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija. 

Police said the victims sustained gunshot wounds in the legs and were brought to the Aroroy Municipal Hospital for treatment.

Responding policemen recovered 11 spent M-16 cartridges at the scene. A manhunt is on for the village chief who fled after the incident.