2 killed, 6 hurt in shooting rampage in Cebu

CEBU CITY, Philippines—Two persons were killed and six others injured when a man went on a  shooting rampage during a variety show Monday night in preparation for a fiesta in Barangay (village) Tamiao, Compostela town, 25 kilometers north of Cebu City.

The police identified the fatalities as Marito Yraola, 46, a businessman and husband of the Tamiao barangay captain, and Marilou Mahinay, 36, a resident of Tamiao who was hit in the chest.

The wounded were Yraola’s daughter Marian, 22 who was hit in the right leg; Rizel Anadia, 12, and Joey delos Reyes, 33, who were both hit in the right arm; Jaime Patiño, 38, and Crystelle Durano Antogop, 13, who were hit in the buttocks; and Tamiao barangay councilor Laila Talingting, who was hit in the chest area.

Talingting and Anadia were declared out of danger and did not require hospitalization, but the rest of the victims were taken to the Danao City district hospital and other hospitals in Cebu City.

Compostela Police Station investigator Police Officer 2 Arni Goc-ong said the alleged gunman, Basilides Ponce, 36, of Pili, Danao City, was arrested later by concerned bystanders.

Goc-ong said the gunman calmly approached Yraola, who was with his wife, Lilian, poked a gun at his head from behind and then shot him twice.

When the shots led to panic, the gunman started shooting into the crowd in the basketball court where the variety show was being held, hitting Mahinay and the other victims.

Goc-ong said the gunman then went to a motorcycle parked about 100 meters from the basketball court and left with two other unidentified persons. Ponce was seen shortly afterwards about half a kilometer from the crime scene and was quickly collared by villagers who turned him over to the police.

A .22-cal. hand gun with two bullets was recovered from him, police said.

Goc-ong said Ponce fit the description of the gunman, who wore a red jacket and black T-shirt just like Ponce’s.

The police recovered five slugs and four empty shells of .45-cal. pistol.

While Ponce denied he shot anyone, he could not explain why he was in the area.

Goc-ong said investigators also learned that Ponce’s two companions were hiding in Barangay Tamia because Ponce’s cellphone received a message, telling him to fetch them before morning came.

Goc-ong, however, said the two eluded arrest after several people noticed and chased them just before the police arrived.

The police have yet to establish the motive for the shooting but they are considering politics and business angles.

Goc-ong said Yraola was engaged in the construction supply and real estate businesses. He was also an ally of former Compostela Mayor Ritchie Wagas. He ran for municipal councilor in the last election but lost.