BACOLOD CITY, Philippines—Three relatives of a broadcaster were killed while another was wounded past noon Friday after a lone gunman entered their home in Sagay City, Negros Occidental and fired at them while the victims were having lunch.
The suspect was identified as Romeo Corbo, in his 40s, who is facing attempted murder charges for shooting broadcaster Ferdinand “Bambi” Yngson, 48, four years ago.
Yngson said the attack might be related to the alleged attempt made by Corbo on his life. But it was also aggravated by a dispute between Corbo and the victims.
Killed were Yngson’s aunt Elsa Gasper Javellana, 67, her husband Ranulfo Javellana, 71, and their daughter Gina Javellana Zaragoza, 48.
The couple’s son, Joseph Javellana, 35, who was shot in the stomach, identified Corbo as the assailant, said Senior Inspector Gabriel Gutierrez, Sagay police chief.
Gutierrez said old personal grudges might have been the motive behind the attack.
Police said the victims were having lunch at their house in Elija Subdivision, Sitio Albina, Barangay Poblacion 1 at about 12:35 p.m. on Friday when Corbo, who was armed with a .45 cal. pistol barged into their home and opened fire.
Corbo reportedly emptied one magazine and loaded it with another before escaping, said Senior Police Officer 3 Noel Olaera, Sagay police chief investigator.
Olaera said the police were hunting down the suspect, who managed to escape.
Corbo, who was currently employed at the Sagay City government, is facing attempted murder charges for shooting Yngson in the left arm, back and check at the Sagay public market on July 25, 2007. The case remains pending.
Corbo, former deputized agent of the Land Transportation Office in Cadiz City, got angry at Yngson’s radio exposés on the suspect’s alleged extortion activities at the LTO.
Early this year, Corbo put up a videoke bar in Elija Subdivision at Sitio Albina, Barangay Poblacion 1 in Sagay.
But the Javellana couple, who owns the subdivision, asked Corbo to leave because the videoke bar was making a lot of noise and that they realized that Corbo was the same man who shot their nephew.
Gutierrez said the Javellana couple then lodged a complaint against Corbo at the Sagay City Hall for operating a videoke bar in their subdivision, which is a residential area.
As a result Corbo’s business permit was reportedly cancelled, he added.