Guard shoots, wounds gas station attendant over bad jokes

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines —  A security guard shot and injured a gasoline station attendant who allegedly annoyed him with his jokes in Barangay Canhaway, Guindulman town on Wednesday.

Police Staff Sergeant Aldrin Asilo of the Guindulman Police Station identified the victim as Marvin Balaoro, 18, a resident of Barangay Talisay, Anda town.

Asilo said Balaoro works as an attendant at a gasoline station in Barangay Canhaway.

Balaoro  who was on his day off,  was hanging out at the gasoline station at 3:20 p.m. on Wednesday.

Prior to the shooting, police said the victim was talking to Jonathan Perocho, 29, security guard at the gasoline station.

Witnesses said the two were joking around but they were surprised when Perocho got his issued shotgun and shot Balaoro in the right chest.

The victim, who was wounded, was rushed to Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran City.

Perocho later told police that he was annoyed with Balaoro’s jokes.

Balaoro was still under observation at the hospital, while Perocho was detained at the Guindulman Police Station.

A case for frustrated murder will be filed against the suspect on Friday, police said.  (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)