MANILA, Philippines - Actor John Apacible was shot dead by his uncle during a verbal tussle in a drinking session in Cainta, Rizal yesterday.
Apacible (Enrique Apacible in real life), 38, sustained two gunshot wounds in the chest. He died on the spot.
Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr., Calabarzon police director, ordered a massive manhunt for Apacible’s uncle, Armando Rustia, 61.
Pagdilao directed Senior Superintendent Manuel Cesar Prieto to exhaust all means to arrest Rustia so Apacible and his family could get justice for his death.
Reports reaching Pagdilao showed that Rustia and Apacible and two other relatives had a drinking session at Greenland Subdivision in Barangay San Juan late Saturday.
The two relatives left at midnight, leaving behind Rustia and Apacible who still continued with their drinking session.
Uncle and nephew later had an argument, after which the latter hit the former with fist blows.
Rustia went inside his house, grabbed a handgun and fired a shot on the ground as he ordered Apacible to leave.
However, Apacible did not heed his uncle’s warning and instead destroyed the screen door of his house and tried to attack him, too. This prompted Rustia to open fire twice, hitting his nephew in the chest.