Couple hurt in shooting

Cebu - A woman is in critical condition while her husband is recuperating from a wound after they were shot outside their house in barangay Punta Princesa yesterday afternoon.

The victims were identified as Ireneo Delbo, 64, and Mateldy Delbo, 50. The suspect, Merto Solis, who lives a few meters from the couple’s residence, remains at large.

Sr. Insp. Gilberto Abellar, Sr., chief of Punta Princesa Police Station, said Mateldy positively identified Solis as the gunman.

“Ang asawa nakasulti pa man to dihang gidala sa tambalanan, positibong gitumbok niini nga si Solis maoy nipusil. Gitabang pa gani ang biktima sa iya pag-umangkong babaye,” Abellar said.

The couple was chopping wood for sale around 1 p.m. yesterday when the suspect suddenly arrived and fired at the victims. Ireneo was hit on his right arm while Mateldy, who reportedly blocked another bullet from hitting her husband, was hit on the chest. 

Mateldy’s niece rushed the victim to the Cebu City Medical Center while police later found a pale Ireneo inside their house.

Initial investigation revealed that Ireneo was responsible for stabbing Solis’ nephew nine years ago. Ireneo reportedly was freed from the Muntinlupa prison just recently.

Police believes revenge was the motive of the shooting.

But the couple’s son, Ape, vehemently denied the accusations against his father, saying Ireneo was never imprisoned.

“Kabuutan anang akong papa. Dili na tinood. Wala g’yud na mapriso ug makapatay. Tumo-tumo ra na nila,” Ape said.

Police recovered four empty shells of a.45 caliber pistol, which confirmed the statement of the couple’s neighbors that they heard four gunshots.

Also recovered from the crime scene were a bicycle, a sledge hammer, and slippers. – Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot and Guam Logroño of Banat News/JMO (THE FREEMAN)