|
Monday, January 17, 2005
7 killed in Kalibo shooting
By Avelyn Z. Agudon
KALIBO, Aklan -- The highlight of the famous Ati-atihan Festival was marred by a bloodbath after a rookie police officer ran amuck, killing seven people, including Aklan Provincial Police Director Odelardo Magayanes and Kalibo Police Chief Manuel Ilejay.
One of the fatalities, Police Officer 1 Jonathan Moreño, a close-in bodyguard of Magayanes, was identified as the gunman.
Magayanes just came from the concelebrated mass at the public plaza, marking the annual festival, when he was shot.
Moreño then fired at his fellow policemen and at Ilejay who came to respond to shooting incident that took place about 10 meters from the Kalibo Police Station, along Rizal St.
The five others killed were PO1 Ricky Urquiola, PO1 Davy Tompong, SP01 Juan Gorion, and 10-year-old Judelyn Cuales.
The police counted 22 people wounded now confined at various hospitals in Kalibo.
An injured physician, Dr. Dem Terol, was brought to the Iloilo Doctors' Hospital in Iloilo City.
Superintendent Jose Jorge Corpuz, regional director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 6, who led the investigation, said the gunman fired an M16 armalite at Magayanes and his other security escorts while they were walking towards their vehicle.
Moreño then ran towards Quimpo St. while still firing at those around him, wounding several other policemen and civilians.
Three troopers of the 6th Regional Mobile Group fired after him until he died.
Magayanes was rushed to the Dr. Rafael Tumbocon Hospital.
His family had wanted to airlift him to Iloilo City for further treatment but he died an hour later due to multiple gunshot wounds on the chest and back.
His remains were brought to the Sampathon Funeral Homes at around 11:55 a.m.
Five hours after the incident, PNP Chief Director General Edgardo Aglipay and Police Regional Director George Aliño arrived in Kalibo.
Aglipay told reporters the incident is an isolated case though he expressed dismay at what happened.
He said Moreño, a native of Toboso, Negros Occidental, was "psychologically disturbed."
He ordered an in-depth investigation, considering that the assailant is a vital witness in the case against Western Visayas drug lord Jose Kim "Boy" Cuadra, who is now detained at the Aklan Provincial Jail.
Cuadra was arrested in Caticlan airport in April 2003.
"We have to dig deeper on the reason behind this", Aglipay said.
He said that despite the tragic incident, he believes the image of the police remains untarnished.
"My men do have personal problems but Moreño is psychologically disturbed. This is an isolated case," Aglipay said.
After conducting an inspection at the scene of the crime, Aglipay commended police officers John Cabayao, Randy del Monte, and Domingo Sullen for subduing Moreño.
He said their decision to shoot Moreño was a right as many more could have been killed if they did not stop him.
The three, who completed the Scout Ranger Training in Guimaras in December 22, will be given commendation.
Moreover, Aliño designated Senior Superintendent Ramon Cariño, former chief of the 6th RMG in Victorias, Negros Occidental, to temporarily head Aklan Provincial Police Office while Ilejay's deputy police chief will takeover the top post of Kalibo Police Station.
Acting differently
Senior Superintendent Norlito Bautista, police provincial director of Capiz, who arrived in Kalibo at around 9:45 a.m., said Magayanes's wife offered coffee to Moreño before they left to conduct an inspection but Moreño refused.
Bautista said he was told that Moreño was acting differently the night before.
"Moreño was acting differently. It is very unfortunate that this happened when people are coming to visit Kalibo to enjoy," Bautista said.
Injured
Aside from Terol, whose house is located near the scene of the incident, others injured were Condrad Indibele, news and public affairs director of RGMA Kalibo, and Vic Ebisate, technical director of RMN.
The two were on their way to cover the shooting incident when stray bullets hit them.
The wounded policemen were PO1 Joseph Gebusion, PO1 Antonio Montreal, SPO2 Joselito Tabios, PO3 Bill Villanoche, and PO1 Eduardo Gorion while civilians were Belmar Hilario, Joanna Mae Fanilla, 14; Jhong Fanilla, 5; Fanilla Dolores, 34; Nelly Dichoson, 39; Angelica Dichoson; Arjan Dichoson; Aime Grace Dichoson; Criselda Banhaw; Julie Ann Fanila, 11; Lorence de la Cruz; Jonilo Eubale, 16; and Sonia Tinao, 54.
Most of them sustained gunshots on their legs, chest, and back.
Merry-making stopped
The usual sadsad (merry-making) after the concelebrated mass was stopped for about five hours.
It resumed at around 2 p.m., following the order of Aglipay but some of the main streets particularly along Kalibo Police Station were ordered closed.
Aglipay said the incident should not hamper the people of Kalibo and the visitors to enjoy the Ati-atihan festivities.
Kalibo Mayor Reymar Reybaldo said he consulted Aklan Bishop Romeo Lazo on whether the celebration will continue after the incident.
Reybaldo said Lazo told him the celebration should proceed, especially the procession, and urged the people to pray for the victims and their families.
The procession started at around 3 p.m., instead of the usual 4 p.m.
(January 17, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
