Chief tanod shot dead in Iloilo town

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — A barangay tanod (village watchman) of Bingawan town in Iloilo, on Sunday shortly after verifying into a quarrel between a man and his two nephews, was shot to death by the uncle without any provocation.

The victim, 53-year-old Bernardo Urbano, chief tanod of Barangay Poblacion, was shot seconds after he asked what was going on between Nory Pelarca and his nephews Mark Gregor Pelarca and younger brother Peter.

Police report said Nory shot Urbano, who sustained two wounds and was declared dead on arrival at the Calinog District Hospital.

Police Officer 2 Dax Bello, Bingawan Police investigator, said the incident started when Nory, who was about to go inside his house, saw his nephews in a heated argument outside his house.

Nory, who just came from his farm at Barangay Quinangyana, tried to pacify his two quarreling nephews. But Mark Gregor allegedly snapped at him: “Who do you care? It’s a fight between siblings.”

This apparently irked Nory who pulled out a gun, believed to be a .45-caliber pistol, and pointed it at Mark Gregor. But the latter did not bow down and even challenged his uncle to shoot him.

Mark Gregor’s wife immediately ran for her husband and hugged him. It was at this juncture that Urbano, who was on his way home, came from behind and asked Nory, “Ano to p’re?”

Nory immediately turned his back, swung his arm, and shot Urbano right away. The suspect quickly fled after the incident and remained at-large, as of press time.

Meanwhile, PO2 Bello denied the incident was politically-motivated, as earlier reported. Urbano was a known ally of Poblacion Barangay Captain Lonilon Paldas, who is running for the vice mayoralty seat against outgoing incumbent Mayor Matt Palabrica.

While Urbano was affiliated with Paldas, Nory is not associated to any candidate, Bello added. “Based on our investigation, it was a simple misunderstanding that led to the shooting incident,” he said.

A manhunt operation is now being conducted to arrest the suspect.  (FREEMAN)