Guard shoots co-guard

CEBU, Philippines - A security guard died after he was shot by another security guard with a shotgun yesterday dawn at Deca Homes Subdivision, Barangay Dumlog, Talisay City.

The victim was identified as Warlito Astacan, Jr., 36, a resident of sitio Aromahan, Dumlog, said city and a security guard of Golden Sun Security Agency (GDS) assigned in the said subdivision.

The suspects were identified as Reynante Flores, 23, and Jason Bisangcay, 20, both residents of sitio Lawis, barangay Candulawan, Talisay City.

The two security guards of EFM Security Agency were also assigned in the same subdivision.

Last Saturday dawn, Astacan with other security guard, Ricardo Austria, disarmed another guard, Rackmark Espina, and crane operator, Rodolfo Basalo, who were allegedly both drunk and fired a gun inside the subdivision.

Espina is under the same security agency with Flores and Bisangcay.

After the shooting incident, Flores and Bisangcay surrendered to the barangay councilors, Bello Bacalso, Aling Bacalso and Rodolfo Torregoza.

The said councilmen then turned over the suspects to the police together with their service firearms, a caliber .38 revolver with four live bullets and an empty shell and 12 gauge shotgun with two live bullets with one empty shell.

Flores told The FREEMAN that previously, Astacan was also under with their security agency but allegedly did violation and he reported it to the head of their agency.

Astacan was kicked out from the agency and transferred to GDS agency.

The two suspects were assigned at the Phase 2 or the interior part of the subdivision while Astacan was assigned at the entrance of the subdivision.

The suspects alleged that before the incident happened, Astacan was drunk and went to their post and tried to hit them with an iron bar but they luckily evaded.

Flores said that he gave a warning shot with his .38 caliber revolver service firearm to Astacan and told the victim to behave because he is drunk but allegedly the victim did not listen to him and continue assaulting them.

Flores alleged that victim, who has four other armed companions, allegedly threatened to kill them.

Due to fear, Flores got the service firearm of Bisangcay and shot Astacan at his stomach.

Astacan was immediately brought to Talisay City District Hospital but he was pronounced dead. The suspects claimed the incident was not related to the incident last Saturday evening when their co-guard was disarmed by Astacan.

Talisay City Police chief, Supt. Resty Santos, told The FREEMAN that the suspects will undergo paraffin test while their service firearm will be under ballistic examination.

According to Santos they are also going to check if the service firearms of the suspects have licenses.

Flores and Bisangcay will be facing murder charges to be filed by the police before the Talisay City Prosecutors Office today. (FREEMAN)