New Year's Eve violence: 3 dead as guard robs town bank

CEBU, Philippines - At least four people were killed in separate crime incidents in Cebu province, including the robbery of a bank in the town of Daanbantayan, on New Year's Eve.

A few minutes before the New Year, three persons were gunned down by a security guard of a bank which he also robbed in Barangay Pajo, Daanbantayan.

Suspect Berly Tudtod, of Barangay Dakit, Bogo City, allegedly used his service 12-gauge shotgun in shooting his companion, security guard Dean Deserto and his live-in partner Cecilia Torre, both of Barangay Dakit, Barili town.

Tudtod also shot dead Jenelyn Megabon, an accounting clerk of Fair Bank and a resident of Medellin town, before fleeing.

All victims sustained a gunshot wound to the head. Their bodies were discovered at around 7 a.m. the following day by another security guard, Bernardo Veraque.

Tudtod and Deserto, both of Ricarte Security Agency based in Barangay East Poblacion, Naga City, were buddies as nightshift security guards of the bank.

Police are still investigating the incident because nobody saw the incident.

But according to PO3 Alfredo Mandal, case investigator, Tudtod reportedly asked to borrow P1,000 from Deserto, who refused knowing that Tudtod had a pending termination order effective December 31.

"Nanghagit pa gani kuno og sukmagay kay wala pahulma unya wala pa sa'y info kung asa siya ibalhin," Mandal said.

The order was issued after the bank's head complained of the high cost of telephone bill of the bank.

"Na-trace man sa taga-banko nga siya (Tudtod) ang sige og tawag sa telepono nganong taas ug bayrunon aside ana dali ra sad siya masuko sa kauban," Mandal said in a phone interview.

It was around 2 p.m. when Deserto reportedly told Tudtod to go home so he could prepare his things, which the latter agreed.

Mandal said Tudtod came back around 11 p.m., pretending he left something. But he then allegedly took a shotgun and shot Deserto who was changing his uniform at that time.

Tudtod then shot Torre who was sleeping on a plastic chair before firing at Megabon who was inside the office.

The suspect then forcibly opened the bank's steel cabinet and carted away P80,000 cash.

Police recovered from the scene two empty shells of a shotgun, a .38 revolver (service firearm) of Deserto, two cellular phones, a sling bag, and a wallet with identification cards.

Provincial Investigation Detective and Management Branch officer-in-charge Chief Insp. Hermano Mallari told The FREEMAN that Torre was at the bank to celebrate the New Year with Deserto.

Tupperware containing foods and desserts brought by Torre were still on the table.

Mallari added that Megabon was at the bank working overtime to finish the post debit loan payments.

"Basta end sa month unya end pa gyud sa year duna na silay apason," Mallari said.

Antonio Inso, 35, who resides at the back of the bank, told police that around 11:45 p.m. he heard a woman shouting "Ayaw Ber! Ayaw Ber!" followed by a burst of gunfire.

Deputy Provincial Director for Administration, Supt. Glenn Candelario Ares, said it was possible that Tudtod was planning the crime.

"We are checking if he had cohorts at that time but right now we are intensifying hot pursuit operation against the suspect," Ares said in an interview.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Director, Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino, directed his men to check the previous employer of Tudtod as well as his previous records.

"Check natin lahat at as long as may leads sundan siya para ma-arrest," Constantino said.

Found dead

Meanwhile, a 39-year-old man was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds in Barangay Budbod, Barili around 11 a.m. also on Tuesday.

Adriano Villegas succumbed to gunshot wounds in the breast, abdomen and right leg.

PO2 Florentino Cuadero, desk officer, said that Adriano was found by his brother Domingo Villegas lying on the ground.

Police are still looking into the case as Villegas' body was taken to the Sacred Heart funeral homes in Ronda town. — /LPM (FREEMAN)