ISABEL, LEYTE , Philippines — One person was killed and 3 others were wounded in a gunfight inside the peryahan in this town on the evening of last Saturday, two days before the town's Sto. Niño fiesta on January 14 and 15.
The fatality was identified as Romulo Caminero, reportedly an OFW who went home for the town fiesta.
Caught in the crossfire and suffered single bullet wounds each were Ricky Almoroto, 22; Evelyn Maraviles, 24 and Joey Pabirara, 27, all of this town. They've been brought to a hospital in Ormoc City, some 45 kilometers away.
Still unsure of what started the incident, however police said vendetta between the protagonists was the motive.
Witnesses told police investigator PO3 Joel Soqueña that they saw Caminero as the one who started the gunfight.
Caminero allegedly went inside the peryahan with his .45-caliber gun and started looking for a certain Eliseo Araño, also from the town.
Araño, upon seeing Caminero with a gun, hid behind a group of people but Caminero started shooting at him. Araño, who was also armed with a .45-caliber gun, fired back.
Caminero died with a single bullet wound to his leg from loss of blood because it hit the artery, said the police investigator. He reportedly suspected Araño as the one who shot at him a few days ago, but missed.
The police said Araño surrendered to them after the incident. They are now preparing file complaints of murder, illegal discharge of firearm and serious physical injury against him. (FREEMAN)