THREE died while three others were wounded after a senior citizen, who is a former government employee, shot a neighboring family on Sunday morning, May 31 at Waling-waling, Buhangin, Davao City.
Based on the initial investigation conducted by the Buhangin Police Station, the incident happened at around 9:45 a.m. on Sunday while Rafael Navarro, Sr. was with his whole family in their shanty located in front of their residence.
The family was preparing their breakfast when their neighbor, identified as Rolando Salazar, 66, retired Davao City Water District (DCWD) employee, suddenly appeared and shot them with a handgun. The suspect then fled on foot.
Five victims were hit and were identified as Zusima Navarro, 62; Rafael Navarro, 33; Rusty Navarro, 35; Ryan Navarro, 39; and Jeselle Navarro, 35.
The victims were rushed to Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC). They are in critical condition and underwent medical treatment.
Ryan and Jeselle eventually succumbed to their gunshot wound.
Apart from the Navarro family, another victim was shot by the suspect while he was attempting to escape. The victim was identified as Roland Salazar, 41, who was declared dead on the spot at SPMC. Roland is the son of the suspect.
The suspect was apprehended by the police who first responded to the scene.
Authorities were able to confiscate a .9mm Armscor handgun and two magazines with 10 live ammunition from the suspect.
The suspect will be facing multiple murder and frustrated murder charges.
Meanwhile, Facebook user Josephine Motuc Cabroles posted a photo of the aftermath of the incident showing people gathered around a vehicle where several persons were carried into. Cabroles claimed that the neighbors and the family had a feud over a septic tank.
She captioned her post, “Tungod sa septic tank, silingan gipamusil sa Waling-Waling Buhangin karong buntag (Someone shot their neighbors this morning because of a feud over a septic tank)."
She added in her post, “Naa nabarilan diri sa Waling-Waling Buhangin, pamilya gihatud na sa ospital. Halos 5 ka tawo gibaril gi ulo pa gyud. Hadlok kaayo! Bikil sa septic tank. Pati iyaha anak sa namusil gibaril niya, (A shooting just happened here in Waling-waling, Buhangin because of a feud over a septic tank. The victims, a family of five, have been rushed to the hospital. They were shot on the head, it was scary. The suspect even shot his son).”
After a while, Cabroles posted an update saying, "Update ta! Namatay ang asawa ni Ryan, buntis pa gyud. Si Ryan 50/50. Ang mga igsuon kritikal pa. Si ate Amy kay sa may kiliran nabaril ug ang anak sa namusil patay pod nga si Nonoy, (The wife of Ryan perished, she was pregnant. While Ryan is 50/50. His siblings are also in critical condition. Ate Amy was shot on her side while the gunman's son, Nonoy, also died).”
The incident was confirmed by Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Police Captain Rosario Aguilar through a text message Sunday. However, it was not confirmed if the feud was about the septic tank. According to the police, due to the strict policy at the SPMC, investigators were only able to get details on the wounds sustained by the victims.