Tanod hunted for killing man in Toledo

CEBU, Philippines - A man was allegedly shot dead by a barangay tanod in Toledo City while a widower was killed by an unidentified assailant in the town of Barili last Wednesday.

In Toledo City, a 71-year-old man was allegedly shot by a barangay tanod for unknown reasons at around 3:30 in the afternoon in Sitio Katera, Barangay Kabitoonan.

The victim, Eladio Saga, died on the spot due to multiple gunshot wounds. He was no longer taken to the hospital when his wife saw his fatal wounds. 

Supt. Julian Entoma, chief of the Toledo City Police Station, said that prior to the incident, barangay tanod Fredo Candol allegedly told Saga to go to the bamboo plantation to prevent his neighbors, Pabling Guanzon and Marcos Crispino, from gathering bamboo poles.

Entoma suspected that an altercation ensued before Candol shot Saga several times.

Seven spent shells of a caliber .45 pistol and another shell of a caliber .357 revolver was recovered from the crime scene.

Police also recovered from Saga’s possession a caliber .357 revolver loaded with two bullets, and three live ammunitions of a caliber .38 revolver tucked on his waistline.

Candol eluded arrest and is now the subject of a manhunt operation.

Toledo police are yet to ascertain the reason for the shooting but initial investigation revealed that Saga may have received the brunt of Candol’s anger over being advised to resign as barangay tanod.

According to Entoma, Dolino revealed to him that he once asked Candol to tender his resignation as one of his barangay tanods after hearing negative reports.

“Isog gyud kuno ni siya pero kung mahubog na, mao lagi na, magmaoy, (Many say he is really brave but when drunk, he gets rowdy.” Entoma said in a phone interview.

Since Candol is a known as a toughie in the barangay, Dolino decided to include him as a member of the team. However, due to negative reports, Dolino was forced to advise Candol to resign a few days prior to the shooting,

Entoma said Dolino’s decision may have disappointed Candol, and led to the shooting of Saga.

“Mura la’g ang biktima maoy napahimungtan niya sa iyang kahiubos ba,(It seems the victim earned Candol’s ire.) ” Entoma said.

Entoma added that Candol was apparently under the influence of liquor when he committed the crime. — (FREEMAN)