Bird hunting turns tragic, Kalanguya man killed in Ecija

CARRANGLAN, NUEVA ECIJA — A 35-year-old Kalanguya man was killed when a companion accidentally shot him while bird hunting on Monday afternoon (May 7), police said.

Efren Balasanan, a farm worker, was declared dead on arrival from a bullet wound in the head at the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital.

His companion, Jay-R Dominguez, 26, urged Balasanan to join him hunt for a bird he saw flying near the farm.

Dominguez took along a rifle. But as he raced towards the bird, the younger man accidentally pulled the trigger, killing Balasanan.

Dominguez surrendered to the police and faces a charge of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide.

The Kalanguya is an indigenous group of people living in the mountains of Cordillera and Northern Luzon. ARMAND GALANG        /lb