1 dead, 1 wounded as gun owners argue

TWO licensed gun owners who got into a heated debate over a motorcycle’s headlights shot each other shortly after Sunday midnight in Caloocan City, leaving one dead and the other wounded.

Killed on the spot was 58-year-old Nelson Belen, a resident of Senate Village in Barangay 173.

He was shot three times in the chest by Ardy Cristobal, 43, a technical director and an electrical engineer working overseas.

According to Senior Supt. Bartolome Bustamante, Caloocan police chief, Belen was driving his pickup on Senate Road in Senate Village while Cristobal, who was on a motorcycle, was following him.

The police said that Belen stopped his vehicle and confronted Cristobal, complaining about the glare coming from his motorcycle’s headlight.

The two got into an argument, resulting in both of them going to their homes and returning to the scene with their firearms.

Belen fired first, hitting Cristobal in the feet, apparently to teach him a lesson, according to Bustamante.

However, Cristobal, a professional shooter, retaliated by shooting him thrice in the chest. He then went to the Police Community Precinct Station 6 and gave himself up.

At press time, Cristobal was undergoing treatment at the Philippine Orthopedic Center for his wounded feet.

He faces a probable murder charge and violation of the existing election gun ban, the police said.

Bustamante added that both men’s firearms were licensed although they were not exempted from the election gun ban. Jodee A. Agoncillo

Truck driver who hit biker charged

THE MOTHER of the biker who died last Saturday after getting hit by a truck in Parañaque City filed charges against the driver in the Parañaque City Prosecutor’s Office on Monday.

Luzviminda delos Santos, mother of 37-year-old victim Noli, filed charges of reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property and homicide against truck driver Willie Aquino.

According to PO1 Pio Calvo of the Parañaque Traffic Bureau, Noli was riding his bike on Japan Street in Better Living Subdivision around 7:30 a.m. Saturday when Aquino’s truck hit him and then dragged him for several meters.

The victim suffered serious injuries and was declared dead on arrival at the Parañaque Doctor’s Hospital. Aquino told authorities that he was trying to avoid a motorcycle, forcing him to swerve to the right.

He insisted that he did not see the victim. Maricar B. Brizuela