Guard vs guard; 1 dead

A security guard is facing charges of murder for allegedly killing his coworker during a fight in Valenzuela City on Sunday evening. He was identified as Gilbert Alegre, a 45-year-old security guard of Jofar Security Agency living on Malambing Street, Area 1, Pinalagad, Barangay (village) Malinta, Valenzuela City.

Alegre was arrested by fellow security guards after he killed Ronald Pascua, a 36-year-old security guard from the same agency who lives on Christmas Street, Sta. Lucia Village, Phase 4, Barangay Punturin, Valenzuela City.

The incident happened around 7:30 p.m. inside the Century Glass premises in Cabral Compound, Mulawin Street, in Valenzuela City. Police reports showed that Pascua, together with fellow guards Isidro Magpusao and John Tagle, were on duty when Alegre arrived on a bicycle. The suspect went straight to Pascua who was then washing the dishes and talked with him.

However, minutes later, the discussion escalated into an argument and a fight as the two reportedly harbored a grudge against each other. Tagle heard the two arguing and tried to mediate. However, Alegre pulled out a .38-cal. revolver that he had brought with him and shot Pascua, hitting him in his neck.

Alegre again shot Pascua as he fell, hitting him in the back of the neck. At that point, Tagle wrested the gun away from Alegre’s hands and rushed to report the incident to the police while the suspect tried to board a tricycle to escape. However, the police later arrested Alegre during a follow-up operation. Seized from the suspect was a blue bag with 12 bullets placed in a black bullet holster.—Nathaniel R. Melican