Davao bizman sued over frustrated murder

Monday, January 23, 2012

THE businessman whose family has made a name in running motels and adult bars now stands accused for frustrated murder over what turns out to be a high school reunion ran awry.

High school classmate Mariano Abella Jr., 62, also a businessman, sued Rodolfo Aquino, 61, whose family owns the Davao Motel Annex and some adult bars along J.P. Cabaguio Avenue.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

Aquino is accused of shooting Abella in his groin just outside Bo’s Coffee Shop at the corner of Jacinto Extension and Torres Street last January 14.

Abella’s woman companion, Melaida Arboleda Ursua, 44, was hit on the foot as the bullet exited Abella’s groin.

Abella said Aquino’s anger apparently rooted on an unfortunate incident during their high school batch reunion at a resort in Buda last October 28, 2011, where Abella in sheer drunkenness urinated on the bed where Aquino was sleeping on.

Drinks were overflowing that night, Abella said, and the former high school classmates were having fun.

"Because I was very drunk, I had no recollection of it, but my friends told me that I stood up and, unknowingly, made an act of urinating on the bed where Rodolfo Aquino, a classmate, was sleeping," Abella said.

Abella said he had no bad intention especially that Aquino was a good friend since high school.

The reunion continued until the following day, he said, at Palos Verdes. Abella said despite having second thoughts, he still joined in the October 29 activity. He was later told that Aquino, who was there earlier, had already left.

Last December 2011, Abella said a mutual friend called him, saying Aquino wanted to meet up with him at Bo’s.

He said he suspected nothing as he even went to the Davao Lodging Inn and Hotel Cabaguio to leave his cell phone number with Aquino’s secretary.

Abella said they had talked over the phone about business and finally agreed to meet up at 10 a.m. of January 14 at Bo’s. The shooting incident happened around 9:45 a.m. as Abella and Aquino arrived for their meeting.

Aquino, meanwhile, sought Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterete’s help. Duterte accompanied Aquino to the Davao City Police Office Saturday evening. Aquino said he is ready to face any lawsuit to be filed against him.