Two killed in separate Balamban benefit dances

CEBU, Philippines - A former barangay tanod in Mayana, Barili was stabbed to death in the chest three times by an unidentified assailant yesterday dawn while he was watching a benefit dance.

The victim was identified as 58-year-old Rufino Mangyao, a farmer and ex-tanod of the said barangay.

SPO4 Andres Alpas of the Barili Police Station said that they responded to a report that a man was found sprawled on a pool of blood near where a discotheque was ongoing.

The discovery reportedly led to a commotion among disco-goers, he also said.

Responding barangay officials and tanods were the ones who identified the victim.

Police, who believe that the victim had an argument with someone in their place, will look into the angle of personal grudge.

In another benefit dance, 26-year-old Ricardo Almento got killed after reportedly trying to help his friend.

Investigation revealed that a commotion ensued at the venue of a disco in barangay Buanoy, also in Balamban, at around 3 a.m. yesterday after a friend of Ricardo allegedly bashed a bottle of liquor on a disco-goer’s head.

Ricardo’s friend then ran out of the disco area but was chased by two unidentified men. This then prompted Ricardo to run after his friend in an attempt to help him.

His elder brother Alfredo, in turn, ran after him to prevent him from getting involved in further trouble. But the assailants fired at Alfredo, hitting him in the neck.

The perpetrators also shot Ricardo hitting him in the stomach. He was rushed to a hospital here in Cebu City but failed to make it alive.

Police said that they are now following a lead on their investigation after witnesses alleged that the assailants are from neighboring barangay Arpili.

Meanwhile, two barangay tanods and another man died after they were shot last Saturday evening inside a videoke bar in barangay Bulak, Dumanjug.

Police identified the victims as Teofisto Lopez and his younger brother Pedro. The other was identified as Jessie Cerenio of barangay Tubod.

The suspects were identified as Lope Antiga alias “Pingot” of barangay Kantolaroy in Sibonga and his companion, Teddy Decinan.

Insp. Ricardo Nayne of the Dumanjug Police Station said that around 5 p.m. last Saturday, the victims were watching some of their friends singing inside a videoke bar owned by one Estrellita Rubic when the suspects arrived.

Allegedly, Antiga, immediately after identifying Cerenio as the son of a certain “Tekoy”, shot the victim with the use of a .45 caliber pistol, hitting him in the chest and left temple. He was rushed to the Barili District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

The suspect also fired shots at the Lopezes who were standing in front of the videoke bar. Teofisto was hit in the head while Pedro in the right armpit.

Responding policemen who conducted an operation to track down the suspects failed to locate them. Four empty shells of a .45 caliber pistol and a slug were recovered from the crime scene.

Nayne said that Cerenio’s father, only known as Tekoy, narrated that last May inside a cockpit arena in Barili, he and Antiga had an argument over something he refused to elaborate to the police. The suspect, he said, could have retaliated by shooting his son.

Charges for multiple murder is being prepared by the police against Antiga and Decinan. — Niña G. Sumacot/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)