Ex-councilor hurt in cockfighting shootout

A FORMER town councilor was shot and wounded by a retired police officer after they argued at a cockfight in barangay Bulacao, Talisay City, southern Cebu.

Emilio Go, a former Talisay councilor, was wounded in the neck and abdomen.

Go’s companion Junrey Larayos was shot in the abdomen.

The suspect, Ulyses Desamparado, 53, was arrested after the shooting.

According to police  investigation, Go and the suspect’s brother Buenafe attended a tigbakay or outdoor  cockfight being held during fiestas in barangays.

Buenafe and Go’s gamefowls were pitted against each other.

The referee declared Buenafe’s fighting cock as the winners.

Trouble broke out when Go protested the decision, saying the decision should have been a draw since both gamefowls died.

The bets for the fight amounted to P12,600, police said.

Go refused to pay Buenafe.

Ulyses arrived and approached Go. An argument ensued until Buenafe was boxed by Larayos.

Police said Go and Ulyses drew out guns  and had had a shootout.

Go was rushed to the Chong Hua hospital while Larayos was taken to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

Police arrested Ulyses and recovered a .45 caliber pistol from him.

No  gun was recovered from Go’s possession but there were people who saw him fire shots during the incident, said SPO1 Mikie Espina of the Talisay City police.

Police said Go and Ulyses will be subjected to  paraffin tests./Correspondent Gabriel Bonjoc