Disgruntled man run amok kills 4, hurts 6 in Rizal

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — A disgruntled man ran amok at Subdivision Homes in Barangay Bagumbayan in Teresa, Rizal Thursday night, shooting four people to death and wounding six others.

Killed at the scene were bakery owner Ruben Francisco, tricycle driver Celso Bernales and bystander Wilfredo Lukban. Another bystander, Marvin Miotin, died while being treated at a hospital.

Senior Inspector Marinell Fronda, town police chief, said Police Officer 3 Emiliano Pantaleon and Police Officer 1 Elueterio Mina of the Teresa police station as well as bystanders Joel Gasingan, Darwin Alvarez, Edrick John Borak and Renato Dacuya were rushed to St. Therese Hospital for treatment.

The suspect, John Albert Araojo, was having a drinking spree with his cousin and an unidentified person to celebrate his birthday before he ran amok.

“According to the suspect’s cousin, Araojo left early. Araojo was not in a fight,” Fronda told The STAR. 

In a phone interview, Fronda also said that Araojo shot Francisco first and then Lukban.

Araojo also fired upon the responding policemen, Fronda said.

After the shooting, the suspect stole a motorcycle and fled toward Morong town.

While he was driving, Araojo shot Bernales, who was waiting for a passenger.

Araojo remains at large. Police said Araojo is a nephew of the barangay captain of Agojo in San Andres, Catanduanes.

Fronda said they are coordinating with the Catanduanes police to verify if the suspect has pending criminal cases. – With Non Alquitran