Pescador runs amok, three die, six wounded

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – Three persons were killed and six others seriously wounded when a fisherman, locally known as “pescador,” of a deep sea fishing vessel (paaling), ran amok with a bladed weapon (plamingko) while on their way to Palawan from the coast of Sibulan town in Negros Oriental yesterday morning.

The casualties included the pescadores leader, identified as maestro Quirico Estoras, a resident of Sibulan, who sustained several stab wounds in different parts of his body.

The two others who died were a certain Benjie Jorheho and the suspect himself identified as Graciano Namoco, 39, a married resident of Barangay Bonawon in Siaton, who was ganged up by the rest of the pescadores after killing the two and wounding six others.

Initial investigations showed the fishing vessel, FB San Tiyago  owned by Ovinal Lim Salvame of Casian in Taytay, Palawan sailed off Ajong in Sibulan, but after 200 meters from the shore, about 1:30 am, Namoco with his plamingko started to run amok stabbing anybody who came his way.

Jorheho, after being stabbed, was able to cry for help, prompting the other pescadores to scamper and hide. However, due to darkness, six of their companions were also stabbed by Namoco.

Estoras tried to pacify Namoco but the latter got angrier instead and stabbed the maestro dead. At this juncture, the rest of the pescadores decided to repulse the berserked fisherman by ganging up on him with wood and hard objects, resulting in his instant death.

As of last report, the Philippine Coast Guard-Dumaguete was holding the boat while conducting further investigation.

The wounded pescadores were Gabriel Ricardo, 51, of Bindoy town in Negros Oriental; Roel Dagodog, 55, from Mabinay; Roque Tersona, 43, from Basay; Jovy Saldo, 23, from Bais City; Dominador Pilonggo, 46, and Julito Babor, 27, both from Sta. Catalina.

Five of them were confined at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital and one at Silliman University Medical Center.