Social welfare officer shoots neighbor

LICAB, Nueva Ecija, Philippines – The social welfare officer of this town allegedly shot his neighbor, who cut down the ipil-ipil trees in his backyard, Friday night.

Arsenio Antonio, 52, of Barangay Casimiro, surrendered to the police after shooting Antonio Jaime, 78, at around 6:30 p.m., said town police chief Senior Inspector Danilo Cuevas.

Reports said Antonio confronted Jaime, who allegedly hit him on the head.

Antonio reportedly went to his house and returned armed with an airgun and shot Jaime thrice.

The victim was rushed to a hospital in Sto. Domingo town for treatment of bullet wounds in the arm and shoulder.

Mayor Wilfredo Domingo said a parallel investigation on the incident would be conducted by his office. He said he knows Antonio as a kind man but would not tolerate any wrongdoing commited by his men.