Former army soldier, wife shot, wounded

CEBU, Philippines - A retired army soldier and his wife were shot and wounded Friday by an unidentified man in sitio Libo, barangay Mohon, Talisay City.

Brigido Villavelez, 62, sustained a gunshot wound on the head while wife Carmen Tagalog Villavelez, 42, was wounded on the shoulder, back, and buttock.

The couple was in critical condition when taken to the Talisay City District Hospital. They were later transferred to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

SPO1 Mikie Espina and PO1 Stephen Sefuesca said Brigido was formerly assigned to Mindanao and that the couple runs a milling business in their place.

The police theorize personal grudges could have triggered the attack.

Espina also said days ago, the couple had an argument with a relative regarding the roof of the chapel in their place.

The police also received reports which state that a relative is jealous of their business.

Before the shooting, a man, who the police believe was a gun-for-hire, dropped by a convenience store to buy a stick of cigarette before going to the couple’s house to pretend to buy “tipasi.”

The couple asked whether the man had a sack where the “tipasi’ could be placed but he allegedly said he had none and that he will be back with one.

When the man returned, he immediately shot Brigido on the head, and then he shot the wife.

After the shooting, the gunman fled on a motorcycle driven by another man.

Espina said the gunman who pretended to buy “tipasi” was just his way of making sure his targets were around.

Police recovered three empty shells and a slug of undetermined caliber of firearm from the crime scene.  (FREEMAN)