2 boys dead, man hurt as peacemaker loses cool

A MAN who tried to act as a peacemaker between his sister and her husband lost his cool and accidentally fired his shotgun, killing two children on Saturday morning at Parola Compound in Binondo, Manila.

A 55-year-old man, Luis Almojuela, was also injured in the shooting incident with the suspect, Estilo Cinco, 41, fleeing with the firearm he used.

Case investigator PO3 Bernardo Cayabyab of the Manila Police District’s homicide section said that Cinco tried to stop an argument between his sister Maritess Ingente and her husband Iggi Ingente. The couple had been arguing about Iggi’s drinking problem when Cinco intervened.

He lost his temper, however, when the Ingentes continued to argue. He got his shotgun and confronted his brother-in-law, hitting him with the butt of the firearm.

However, it went off, hitting Almojuela and two 10-year-old boys—Jemar Lacsim and Gerald San Jose—who were playing in the area.

One of the boys suffered a chest wound while the other was hit in the left eye. Both were taken to a hospital where they were pronounced dead while Almojuela was brought to Gat Andres Hospital for wounds in the abdomen and chest, Cayabyab said.

Cinco fled, bringing with him his 12-gauge shotgun while Iggi was taken into custody by the police for questioning.

SPO4 Richard Lumbad said they were still trying to determine Cinco’s whereabouts and why he had a shotgun which was most likely unlicensed.