1 Dead, Three Wounded Over Land Dispute

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

A shooting incident outside a cockpit stadium left one dead and three others injured over the weekend in Kalibo, Aklan.
Killed while being treated at St. Gabriel Hospital was Melchor dela Cruz, 50, of Brgy. Poblacion, New Washington, Aklan at around 8:30 a.m. Saturday, the police said.
Initial investigation of the Kalibo PNP revealed the shooting incident happened while the victim along with his son-in law Alvin Fernando, Ronaldo Perucho, PO3 Arnold Tumlos and Jennifer Tumlos were walking towards their parked vehicles at around 2:30 a.m. Saturday outside the Kalibo Sporstman Stadium at Brgy. Estancia, Kalibo.
They were about to go home when the suspect later identified as Francisco Fernando, 34, farmer and native of Brgy. Cabugao, Altavas, Aklan, without provocation, shot them four times, said Chief Insp. Arnold Ardiente, chief of Kalibo PNP.
The incident could have steemed from a land dispute between the suspect and the victim, the police said.
Dela Cruz succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds in his body while Tumlos, his wife Jennifer and Perucho escaped unhurt.
The PNP member armed with his service firearm 38-caliber, retaliated with the suspects hitting Fernando Rico, 36, tanod of Brgy. Andagao and Francisco Fernando, who were about to escape riding in a motorcycle.
Alvin Fernando, 33, of Brgy. Poblacion, New Washington, Aklan, was slightly wounded at the right side portion of his waist. The police recovered a deformed slug of unknown caliber in his leather belt while undergoing treatment at DRSTMH.
Fernando Rico was brought to Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH) by his brother for treatment for a gunshot wound at the right side back portion of his body.
"I denied my involvement in the shooting. It is normal for us to bring your wounded brother to the hospital," Lorenzo Rico told this writer while being detained at the Kalibo PNP for possible involvement in the incident.
Meanwhile, Francisco Fernando who suffered gunshot wound on his back was arrested by elements of Kalibo PNP in a hot pursuit at Capiz Emmanuel Hospital in Roxas City, Capiz.
Fernando initially underwent treatment at Altavas District Hospital, Altavas, Aklan, about 40 kms east of the capital town.
He is presently detained at the Kalibo PNP along with ex-Army Rogelio Fernandez alias ‘Nognog’, of Brgy. Nalook, Kalibo, Aklan, who was arrested also in a hot pursuit operation.
The police also recovered the motorcycle used by the suspects, but, they failed to get the murder weapon from Fernando.
Fernandez, who faced murder charges in early 1990s and was released on parole, was implicated in the shooting after the police confiscated the cell phone of Fernando Rico at DRSTMH.
Investigators said Fernandez was texting the suspects of the activities of Miguel dela Cruz and Alvin Fernando during the 4-cock derby inside the cockpit arena. /MPmailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com