Tanod shoots tanod

HILONGOS, LEYTE ,Philippines  – A barangay tanod of this town shot his fellow tanod, who was his cousin, in the mountain barangay of Hampangan over the weekend.

Police report said the suspect, Amelito Vallientos, 34, allegedly shot at close range Melchor Vallientos, 38, who however maneuvered quickly to parry the shot to escape being hit.

Inspector Clark Chavarria, deputy chief of the town police, along with SPO1 Randy Reyes and PO2 Reynaldo Rosario, arrested and detained the suspect.

Amelito’s brother Danilo later on the day turned over the gun used, a .38 caliber S&W pistol with three live ammos, to Barangay Chairman Francisco Lascota.

Authorities said Melchor was walking on his way home but when he got near the house of Amelito, the latter accosted him and, without any provocation, pulled out a gun from the waist and fired it at him.

Melchor immediately ran to the house of Lascota who in turn advised him to report the incident to the police.

Chief Insp. Ramil Amodia, chief of the Hilongos Police, said Amelito will be charged with attempted homicide, and the firearm will be used as evidence. “While we always encourage settlement of disputes, the last say on what to do will be on the complainant,” he added.

Case officer Rosario told The FREEMAN that the police will not be filing a charge of illegal possession of firearms because the suspect was not carrying it when arrested. —Edgar Allan Vilbar