4 farmers killed, 1 wounded in South Cotabato gun attack

Scene of the Crime Operatives conduct post crime investigation in Barangay Dumadalig, Tantangan, South Cotabato, where four people were shot dead Sunday evening.  (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY PNP)

KORONADAL CITY – Four persons were killed and another one was wounded when a man with an assault rifle barged inside a residential compound in South Cotabato Sunday night and shot the victims who were having a drinking binge, police said.

Major Erika Vallejo, acting municipal police chief, said the unidentified attacker arrived inside the residential compound of Marlon Yuarata in Barangay Dumadalig, Tantangan town and without provocation opened fire on the victims, using a 5.56 mm assault rifle..

Relatives identified those killed as Jerry Yuarata, Ronald Vallespin, Argie Villaronte and Marco Combiz, all farmers and residents of Purok 5 Luayon, Barangay Dumadalig, Vallejo said.

Freddie Tabamo, another farmer, was wounded.

The victims were drinking, enjoying the night singing videoke when they were attacked.

Scene of the crime operatives recovered 37 empty shells of an 5.56mm rifle at the crime scene.