Councilman shoots female in-law dead

CEBU, Philippines - A barangay councilman accidentally shot dead his cousin-in-law in Barangay Bug-ot, Argao town Saturday night.

The shot that suspect Isabelo Pantinople fired was intended for Jayboy Famat, who was drunk and had punched Isabelo’s son, but it hit and killed Mirthel Pantinople, 41, instead.

Mirthel sustained a gunshot wound in her face and died on the spot while Famat sustained six gunshot wounds and is now recuperating in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC).

Isabelo voluntarily surrendered to the police and is now detained in Argao Police Station but the guns were not recovered.  Isabelo said he forgot where he threw the weapons because of panic.

PO2 Renato Nacaytuna of Argao Police Station narrated that Isabelo was sitting on a bench at the roadside when Famat, who was drunk, arrived looking for the councilor’s youngest son.

Isabelo’s son allegedly rushed home and hid after Famat, 28, punched him.

The councilor tried to pacify Famat but to no avail.

“Iyang giingnan na ayaw na lang Jayboy kay dili ‘to musukol nimo. Ato lang storyaan ugma kay nakainom ka karon’” Nacaytuna said quoting Isabelo.

However, Famat, a farmer and a known in the neighborhood, allegedly insisted that he  wants a fight with the suspect’s son.

“Di man gyud siya patuo. Gusto daw niya magkamatay. Giingnan siya sa suspek na ‘aw, gusto gyud ka mamatay? O sige, paabot diha,” Nacaytuna added.

Isabelo went home and came back with a caliber. 45 pistol.

The councilor saw his cousin, Eliseo Pantinople, sitting beside Famat.

He told Eliseo to stay away as he would shoot Famat.

Eliseo left while the councilor shot Famat several times.

But Famat managed to evade the attack and the bullet instead hit Eliseo’s wife, Mirthel, who was standing at the back of the bench.

She died immediately due to a gunshot wound in her face, just below her right eye.

Isabelo rushed home again and returned with another firearm, a caliber 9mm Ingram pistol.

He allegedly ran after Famat and shot him repeatedly. Famat was hit six times in the body.

Famat was taken to the Isidro Kintanar Memorial Hospital and was later transferred to VSMMC.

Nacaytuna said Famat is now stable.

“Maayo man kaayo ni-istorya didto sa ospital. Isog man ni siya, magsige ug panghagad ug pangulata kay di lagi daw siya mamatay,” the police officer said.

Nacaytuna revealed that three years ago, Famat was also shot several times in the body and survived. — (FREEMAN)