1 killed, 6 hurt in gunfight

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — One was killed while six others were wounded in a gunfight reportedly between two warring groups in Purok Crotons of Brgy. Miranda in Pontevedra town, Negros Occidental Monday night, police said yesterday.

Senior Supt. Allan Guisihan, police provincial director, said initial reports revealed that the incident originated from a political rivalry between the incumbent barangay captain and the defeated candidate.

Inspector Vanessa Sonoy, Pontevedra Police chief, identified the fatality as Rodrigo Villaspin, who suffered gunshot wounds in his body and was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital here.

Wounded were a 13-year-old boy, Alexin Garita, 40, Ricardo Villaspin, 52, Ariell Garita, 29, Melvin Rodriguez, 23, and Jevic Megueto 19. They are now being treated in different hospitals in this city.

Sonoy said that a long standing feud was the motive of the shooting between the two groups, one of which was led by the barangay captain of Miranda. A certain Remy Villaspin was apprehended by the police and presently detained for questioning, said the female police chief.

Guisihan yesterday ordered the creation of Task Group Miranda that will be headed by Supt. Leo Erwin Agpangan, head of the NOPPO south sector, and the arrest of any person seen with a gun in the barangay.

The identities of the protagonists were temporarily withheld pending further investigation, Guisihan said. — THE FREEMAN