CAFGU member killed by brother

ORMOC CITY, Philippines   — A 28-year-old member of the Philippine Army's CAFGU was gunned down by his brother at Barangay Cabintan of this city Friday morning.

The victim, Cristopher Albarido, was shot while on top of the coconut tree for his twice-a-day routine of gathering tuba and cleaning its source.

Senior Insp. Shevert Alvin Machete, Police Station 1 chief, told The FREEMAN that the victim was hit in the back and fell from the top of the tree.

The suspect, Renato Pepito Albarido who is now at large, used a home-made shotgun in shooting his brother from a distance of about 10 meters. "He concealed behind cassava and banana plants but cleared the leaves to get a clear view of the victim," said Machete.

Cristopher's 26-year-old live-in partner (name withheld upon request) in an interview following the incident said he left their house as early as 5:30 a m for his routinary tending of his coconut trees located within the barangay proper.

She said that, days before the incident, she was already advised by the tanods not to left her partner alone because somebody was plotting to kill him.

"Gibiyaan na sa akong bana ang ubang sanggotan nga layo-layo sa balay agig paglikay. Kadto ra sad nga higayon nga wa ko modungan niya kay nag andam usa ko sa pamahaw sa among duha ka anak edad 5 ug 3 anyos," she said.

Case officer SPO2 Leo Enalisan theorized that the long standing grudge between Christopher and his family could be the main reason for the killing.

While in Manila, Christopher's mother allegedly sold his lot share in the barangay. He only discovered this when he return home and, since then, several minor incidents marred the family relationship. The family was also reportedly against his live-in partner.

According to the live-in partner, the immediate quarrel between Christopher and his brother was a water hose.

"Gi -sukmatan sa akong bana si Atok (Renato) kon ngano iya gihipos ang hose nga sa ila man to sa inahan. Lisod na hinoon pagkabo sa tubig kay tua na ubos sa bakilid. Dinhi sila nagkalalis nga miresulta sa paglakaw ni Atok bitbit ang iya shotgun," she said.

Since the altercation, Renato was not seen in the barangay for several days until September 16 when somebody saw him fled right after the shooting. He was known to be good in shooting moving targets such as monkeys and wild pigs using his shotgun.

Cabintan is a mountainous area in the hinterlands of Ormoc and bounded by Jaro and Burauen towns in the eastern part of Leyte. It is known for its tramline, an ideal tool because of the rugged terrain, to transport vegetables - the economic source of the barangay.  (FREEMAN)