CEBU, Philippines - Two women were injured after being shot and held up by their two neighbors inside their house in Barangay Looc, Oslob on Wednesday evening.
Ma. Theresa Agda, 28 and her mother Ma. Concepcion Agda, 58, were taken to the Oslob District Hospital but both were later transferred to Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City for further treatment.
Theresa sustained a gunshot wound on her right hip and Concepcion was wounded on her left breast.
Police said both were allegedly shot by Earl Rustler “Diokno” Figura when one of Theresa’s children shouted, “Ma, naa nay pulis” causing Figura to panic and shoot both victims.
Figura remains at large but his companion, Ronen Gumilao, 21, was arrested by the police at a shanty in the mountain area of the said barangay on Thursday afternoon during a manhunt operation.
PO3 Nelson Saquibal, Oslob police investigator, said the municipality experienced power interruption at about 9:45 in the evening when Figura and Gumilao entered the victims’ residence and declared a hold-up.
Figura, who was already armed, reportedly managed to aim his .45 caliber pistol at Theresa and Concepcion while Gumilao was trying to get the cellular phone of one of Theresa’s daughters which led to a brief scuffle.
The girl was able to turn on the flashlight of her cellular phone and beam it on the face of Gumilao, prompting the victims to recognize him.
Theresa said she even pleaded for Figura not to harm them.
“Ayaw Diokno, muhatag lagi mi og kwarta,” these words were heard before three bursts of gunfire rang out hitting Theresa and Concepcion.
“Sila ma’y gidumtan ani kay naa man ni kwarta pamilyaha kay usa nila abroad man,” Saquibal said.
Without getting anything from the victims, both suspects fled onboard a motorcycle which was parked nearby.
Police only found one slug, two empty shells and two unspent bullets of caliber .45 pistol but failed to recover the firearm.
Further investigation revealed that Figura has a pending arrest warrant for frustrated murder.
Two counts of robbery with frustrated homicide are set to be filed today before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. — (FREEMAN)