ROXAS CITY, Philippines – Two persons died while three others were injured after a reported family fight over a game of basketball at sitio Bangbang in Barangay Cagay of this city.
The fatalities were identified as cousins Efren Obapial, 30, and Policarpio Altamia III, 35.
Efren succumbed to gunshot wounds on his left buttock, right portion of the body, chest, and stomach. He was declared dead on arrival at the Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital.
Policarpio sustained hack wounds on his nape, forehead, and neck. He died shortly after he was brought to St. Anthony College Hospital.
Senior Supt. Domingo Cabillan, Capiz Provincial Police director, identified the wounded as Efren’s brothers, Armando, 44, and Emil, 22, and Policarpio’s wife, Bonalyn, 29.
Police accounts stated that the three Obapial brothers, together with Edwin, Edgardo, Adonis, and Agot, all surnamed Obapial, stormed the nearby house of Policarpio.
The Obapials allegedly began attacking Policarpio who retreated, but got hold of an M16 rifle and fired at his assailants.
Recovered from the crime scene were nine empty shells of M-16 bullets and a blood-stained bolo.
Initial investigation revealed that a petty argument over a basketball game started the conflict between the two families, but Cabillan said that investigators have yet to go into the details of the incident. - THE FREEMAN