Tanod shoots neighbor dead in Balamban

CEBU, Philippines - A barangay tanod shot his neighbor dead following a heated argument last Monday evening.

Jeffrey “Eploy” Artagjo, 30, admitted shooting Tito “Potot” Raplisa, 32, but said he only did so after he was provoked by the victim.

The incident happened in Barangay Prenza in the western town of Balamban.

Raplisa succumbed to a gunshot wound on the chest. He was taken to the Cebu Provincial Hospital in Balamban but was declared dead on arrival.

 SPO3 Arvie Banate, Balamban police chief, said Raplisa was drinking liquor alone at the store owned by a certain Niel Aumento when Artajo arrived and shot the victim once using a caliber .38 revolver.

 Artajo is now detained at the police stockade after he voluntarily surrendered to the police. Formal charges will be filed in court against him.

 Banate said the two men have had a previous argument, which occured when Raplisa was under the influence of liquor.

 “Nagkabangi lang ni sila gumikan sa mga estorya nga sakit na,” Banate said.

 Banate said a rivalry between the two over a woman might have spurred the shooting.

 The woman was formerly Artajo’s girlfriend, but the two have separated a few months ago reportedly upon the decision of the woman’s sister.

 Artajo reportedly did not have any idea if Raplisa was courting his ex-girlfriend.

 Further investigation revealed that Raplisa was suffering from a mental illness.

 “Duna man pud kuno ni siya’y depernsiya gamay nga mukalit la’g sugmat,” Banate said in a phone interview.

 In a separate interview, Artajo said he had an argument with Raplisa last Sunday morning, but the same was settled in the afternoon.

 The next day, he reportedly received a text message from Raplisa planning something bad against him.

 “Wa ko kahibaw unsa akong sala niya nga iya man kong pasingitan,” Artajo said on a phone interview.

 When asked if their argument had something to do with Artajo’s former girlfriend, Artajo said he did not know if Raplisa and the woman had a relationship.

 On Monday evening, Artajo and Raplisa met and again had an argument.

 “Ako siyang giingnan naa gyud kay plano nako? Sige huwata ko diha,” Artajo told The FREEMAN.

 At this juncture Artajo went home around 6:35 pm and took his revolver. He went back to the store and shot Raplisa.

Artajo said he had no choice but to face the charges against him. – Ria Mae Y. Booc/JMO (THE FREEMAN)