Couple escapes second strafing

CEBU, Philippines - A couple escaped death after unidentified men strafed and threw hand grenades at their house in Barangay Ilihan in the town of Tabogon early Thursday.

Jaime America and his wife Judely were not in their house when the strafing took place as they were seeking refuge at a relative’s house since this is apparently not the first time some people attempted on their lives.

Bursts of gunfire were reportedly heard, prompting neighbors to call for police assistance.

Police rushed to the scene and recovered 20 empty shells of a caliber 9mm, five empty shells of an M16 riffle, an empty shell of a caliber 45 pistol, and two hand grenades.

Police Officer 3 Gregorio Licayan of Tabogon Police Station said nobody was hurt in the incident.

The couple, according to Licayan, has moved earlier to the house of Jamie’s sister following the first strafing incident on September 25.

Licayan said they are primarily eyeing land dispute as the possible motive behind both strafing.

The couple allegedly owns a 250-square-meter parcel of land in the area, which is being claimed by another person.

During the Sept. 25 incident, police recovered nine empty shells of a caliber 99mm and two empty shells of an M16 riffle from the scene.

Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Senior Superintendent Noel Gillamac tasked the Provincial Investigation and Detection Management Branch to assist Tabogon Police in the investigation.

Meanwhile, Gillamac directed Tabogon police chief Inspector Bonifacio Pareja, Jr. to explain in 24 hours why he failed to report the incident to him.

Pareja is expected to arrive at the Cebu Provincial Police headquarters at 9 a.m. today and explain before Gillamac. (FREEMAN)