Shooting inside PUJ kills 1, hurts another

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – A 31-year-old native of Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu who was a stay-in employee working in a barge of the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) was killed following a shooting incident inside a passenger jeepney at Rizal Lapuz Sur, La Paz district of this city.

Rogelio Sabagala, Jr. was just hit on the right thigh, but it was surmised that the bullet pierced through his vital organ or nerve causing his instant death.

The shooting also wounded Reynold Daja, 27, a native of Oriental Mindoro and employed as NAPOCOR’s maintenance worker.

Chief Inspector Alexander Rosales, La Paz Police chief, said the incident could be random shooting, and some police investigators presumed that the suspect, 41-year-old John Erwin Palomero of Janiuay town in Iloilo, was under the influence of drugs.

The police said Palomero rode on a Bo. Obrero jeepney at the City Proper district before 5 p.m. Monday, and when the jeepney reached its farthest destination, he did not alight.

The driver then just assumed that Palomero wanted a “joy ride.” When the jeepney reached the Napocor area, the two victims, together with their two companions, boarded the vehicle.

Nothing occurred between the group and that of Palomero. That’s why, it came as a surprise for the victim when the suspect just pulled his caliber .45 pistol (Norinco) and shot Daja who was hit on the left thigh. The bullet went through-and-through and penetrated Sabagala’s right thigh. –(FREEMAN)