Guard's gun goes off, boss' kids hit

CEBU, Philippines - A security guard believed to be under the influence of liquor accidentally fired his gun and injured the children of his Korean employer at Edison Street, Barangay Lahug last Saturday night.

The suspect, who is now detained, was identified as John Carlos Rafols, 25, single, and a resident of Orchid Street, Barangay Capitol Site. He is assigned with Sikatuna Security Agency and detailed at Yu Lee Jeong Korean Restaurant.

The wounded children were Daniel Park, six, and his younger sister, Angelina Park, 2. Merie Amarila, 26, the kids’ stay-in baby sitter, and a native of Dalaguete, Cebu, was also wounded.

PO3 Edario Manatad of the Homicide Section of the Cebu City Police Office, said the suspect admitted drinking liquor before reporting for work at 7pm.

Upon arrival at the restaurant, Rafols loaded his service firearm, a .38 caliber revolver. As he was doing so, the gun went off and the bullet hit the cemented ground.

“But walay direct hit nga nahitabo,” Manatad told The FREEMAN.

Manatad said the bullet ricocheted and the fragments hit the victims who were standing at the parking area at least two meters away from the guard house.

He said the kids were playing at that time while the baby sitter was watching over them. They were waiting for their father who was managing the restaurant.

Daniel was hit on the left chest and left thigh, while Angelina was hit on her right arm and right knee. Amarila was hit on her neck. They were brought to the Perpetual Soccour Hospital for treatment.

Manatad said Daniel had to undergo surgical operation for the removal of the fragment on his chest, but all victims are now in stable condition.

“Operahan kay naigo siya og tingga ba to sa bala or nabuak nga bato,” Manatad said.

The suspect, on the other hand, was arrested by the Mobile Patrol Group who responded to the scene. Police recovered the gun, loaded with five live bullets, and an empty shell.

He was submitted to a liquor test at the Cebu City Medical Center and later to a paraffin test at the PNP Crime Laboratory-7 at the CCPO headquarters.

Manatad said the victims’ father will appear before their office today as he manifested interest to press charges against his employee.

Meanwhile, a 19-year-old gardener is in critical condition after he was stabbed by a fellow gardener in sitio Tigbao, Barangay Talamban shortly before midnight yesterday.

The victim Dominador Enojada and the suspect Nobert Bolongaita are both 19 years old and employed as stay-in gardeners of one Rosario Villanueva.

The two were about to rest inside their sleeping quarters after work when the suspect silently approached and stabbed the victim twice on his stomach using a pair of garden scissors.

Manatad said both were arguing about their work shortly before the incident.

“Wa na daw siya ka-sabot sa iyang kaugali-ngon. Wa na gani daw siya makahibaw nga naigo na niya tong biktima. Mura siya’g naulipon sa iyang kalagot ba,” Manatad said.

The victim was rushed to the operating room of the CCMC while the suspect fled but was arrested inside a ferry boat in Barangay Tangil Wharf in Dumanjug at 4 am yesterday. He tried to flee to his native place in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental, police said.

The suspect is now detained at CCPO stockade pending charges that will be filed against him today. — (FREEMAN)