Losing bet’s aide slain by drinking buddy

Koronadal City — A supposed verbal tussle inside the house of this city’s former mayor turned bloody at midnight last Friday, resulting in the death of one of the politician’s bodyguards.

Superintendent Florendo Quidilla, city police chief, said the victim, Edwin Sorongon, 43, an "in-house" bodyguard of former mayor Vicente de Jesus who ran as mayor in the last election and lost, suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

The suspect, Leo Diaz, fled after the incident and is now the subject of a manhunt.

Witnesses said Sorongon and Diaz were in a drinking bout inside De Jesus’ house at Triniville Subdivision, some 500 meters away from the city police station. An exchange of heated words ensued, leading to the shooting. — Ramil Bajo