Village chief, 3 others killed in Masbate shooting incidents

PILI, Camarines Sur — Four persons were killed in two separate shooting incidents in Placer and San Jacinto towns in Masbate province Sunday afternoon, police said.

In San Jacinto, the victims were identified as Senior Police Officer 2 Rommel Borromeo, 58, a former army intel operative; and Antonio Barsaga, 65, a retired security guard, both residents of Barangay District 2.

According reports, they were onboard a motorcycle when heavily armen men fired at them at around 12:30 p.m. in Sitio Danta, Barangay Calipatan.

Police also said that a cop was ambushed last April 16 and an explosion happened last May 6 in the same location, although they did not state whether the incidents were related.

Recovered from the crime scene were 53 pieces of 5.56mm fired cartridge, 10 pieces of 5.56 misfired bullets, 29 pieces of 7.62mm fired cartridge, one misfired bullet also for a 7.62mm, and 55 meters of black detonating wire.

Meanwhile, in Barangay Luna, Placer, Rommie Bagaan and Eric Tupas, chief of the said village and president of “Liga ng mga Barangay,” were killed by men riding in tandem around 6 p.m.

Police have yet to establish the motive behind the killings. An investigation is ongoing. /ee