Laborer killed; baby takes bullet meant for dad

A laborer was killed while an 11-month-old baby was wounded when they were shot at by three men on a motorcycle at the corner of Riverside and Domingo Streets in Barangay (village) Commonwealth, Quezon City, on Monday night.

Conrado Ongjoco, 59, an airconditioning and refrigeration technician, died on the spot. The police theorized that he was the gunmen’s target because of his involvement in a land dispute.

Case investigator SPO1 Randy Bantillo said that as the armed men were fleeing on their motorcycle, they spotted Manolito Salvatierra, who was standing a few meters away from where the shooting occurred, looking at them.

They fired at him but missed. Instead, the bullet meant for Salvatierra hit his daughter, Michaela, who he was carrying in his arms.

The baby was hit in the shoulder and taken to Quirino Memorial Medical Center where she was treated.

According to witnesses, Ongjoco was standing at the street corner and chatting with some people at 8:10 p.m. on Monday when three men on a motorcycle arrived in the area.

Two of the men got off the vehicle, drew their handguns and shouted: “Don’t interfere!” to bystanders before they shot the victim.

The police said they recovered several spent shells from a .45-cal. pistol and 9mm firearm.

Batasan police station Supt. Ramon Pranada, quoting residents in the area, said the Ongjocos were reportedly involved in a land ownership dispute with some relatives.

Bantillo, meanwhile, said they were still looking at other angles as the victim’s family had yet to talk to police investigators.