Victims were hit by stray bullets: 1 dead, 2 hurt in gang war

CEBU, Philippines — Anthony Corro and his family planned to complete the 9-day Misa de Gallo until a stray bullet from two warring gangs on Thursday ended not only the family’s tradition but his life as well.

Anthony, 34, together with his wife, Annie Rose, and their two children were walking along Bonifacio Street on their way home after attending Misa de Gallo at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño when they were caught in a shootout between the members of two gangs.

“Ang pirmi lang gyud gipangayo sa Ginoo nga malikay lang gyud mi pirmi sa disgrasya..himsog nga panglawas…unya wa ko magdahum nga maamong mi sa gubot sa mga batan-on,” Annie Rose said.

“Samtang naglakaw mi, naay nagpabuto sa among luyo, nagtuo mi nga ordinaryo ra to nga buto among nadungog…Nakalingi pa mi sa likod…paglingi na namo, naglain na akong pamati, nagpaspas nami’g lakaw, mao na to naigo na siya, niingon na siya’g agay sa may ancestral house, naigo,” Annie Rose added.

She said her husband was still able to walk until they were rescued and sent to a hospital.

Annie Rose and their two children were spared but Anthony died while being operated on to extract the bullet. At the hospital’s emergency room, Anthony was still able to ask if their children were already able to eat breakfast before he underwent surgery.

“Ingon ang doctor nako, ang bala nag dagan-dagan sa iyang tiyan…iyang kidney naigo, iyang tinae naitom naman…Samtang nag-opera sila ang beat sa iyang heart nihunong…ang blood pressure niya ni down pud…abunuhan siya’g dugo, wala gyud siya naka-survive,” Annie Rose said.

According to Annie Rose, the family was excited to celebrate Christmas until the unfortunate incident happened.

“Ang duha ka bata ilang gikwaan og amahan…Ang among pasko ron wala nay lami i-celebrate kay nakuhaan mi sa among pamilya,” Annie Rose said.

She vowed to press charges against all the people involved after hearing that some of the suspects were already arrested.

“Plano namo magpasaka ug kaso…Hinaot ko nga kinsa pa tong wala pa madakpi unta makit-an pa sa mga police kay mga bantan-on grabe maka gara, akong mga anak ilang gikuhaag amahan,” Annie Rose added.

Aside from Corro, two others were injured, including Police Executive Master Sergeant Vincent Villarin Aguanta of Consolacion Police, and Donna Blair Saavedra Banzon.

Aguanta, who was just cleaning his car outside his home, sustained a gunshot wound in his right arm, while Banzon sustained a gunshot wound on her chin. Both are now recuperating in the hospital.

Jealousy induced

Based on the police investigation, the groups allegedly fought over a woman.

They identified the groups involved as the Amerson Fam and Marka Tabla gangs.

"Kining grupo sa Amerson nakatambay daw diha, miagi ang Marka Tabla. Then nakit-an sa Marka Tabla nga naay pusil na, gipangita ang Amerson so nanagan sila. Pero ang Marka Tabla naa pud silay mga pusil so nagka return fire ang isat-isa," said Police Major Efren Diaz, chief of the Parian Police Station.

On Friday, some of the suspects have been identified by the police. They were Jr. Jomao-as, 18, of Alcohol Street, Barangay Zapatera; James Batarlo, 18, of Sitio Putat, Barangay Tejero; Anthony Revilleza alias Nino Barro, 18, of A. Valle, Barangay T. Padilla; Ronald Revilleza, 27, of Sitio Bukog, T. Padilla; and April Boy Regala Turno, 19, of P. del Rosario Street, Barangay Sambag 1.

All are members of the Amersan Fam allegedly involved in the shootout, while those of the rival group Marka Tabla are still being pursued.

Diaz said they were able to identify the suspects through the CCTV footage, tracing their group chats, and by the accounts of some witnesses.

They also later found out through the footage that two members of Amersan Fam were the ones who started the trouble by opening fire at their opponents, who then retreated towards Bonifacio Street but later returned fire, causing the commotion.

No police found

Annie Rose urged the police to ensure visibility in the area following what happened to avoid further similar incidents and casualties.

"Akung kuan sa mga pulis nga nag hinaut tako duol ra kaayu ang police station  wa gyud sila ka roving anang lugara duol ra gyud kaayo ang Parian. Wa gyud koy bisa’g usa lang ka Police makita diha...ako rang makuanan didto ras may Sto. Niño ra gyud," she said. — Romeo D. Marantal, Robhe Jane C. Yara (FREEMAN)