Guard shot by ex-soldier dies while under treatment

CITY OF ILAGAN – One of the people shot at their home by a former soldier in Alicia town, Isabela province died while undergoing treatment, the Inquirer learned on Saturday.

Arvin Tayan, a 22-year-old security guard and nephew of the suspected killer, Jesus Tayan Abat, died from injuries in the chest and legs.

Abat, 53, allegedly broke into the Tayan residence at 6:30 a.m. on Friday and fired at Arvin, his 45-year-old father Arthur, his 47-year-old mother Brehida, 20-year-old Arjay Tayan, and Fritchie Lacar, according to Supt. Manuel Bringas, deputy director for operations of the Isabela Provincial Police Office.

A relative of the victims said Abat had accused the Tayan family of informing his wife in Mindanao that he had been having an affair in Alicia town.

Cherry Pie Tayan, Arvin’s widow, said the family denied Abat’s allegation. They offered to open their social media accounts to prove that the ex-soldier was wrong.

Abat remains a fugitive.

As of this writing, the surviving Tayan family members were being treated at a hospital in Santiago City. –Villamor Visaya Jr. /atm