CEBU, Philippines - The head of the container repair unit of the Gothong Southern cargoes was taken to the hospital after he was shot by their security guard during a heated argument over the entrance of some cargo trucks Thursday night in Pier 4 along Arellano Boulevard, Barangay Tejero, Cebu City.
Police are now looking for Ernesto Mendoza, a security guard with the Total Shield Security Specialist Services, who hurriedly left on foot after the incident.
The victim, identified as Antonio Aliga, 36, of Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City, suffered a gunshot wound to the body. He was rushed to the Chong Hua hospital for treatment.
Mendoza and Aliga reportedly had an argument over the cargo trucks that entered the vicinity of the Gothong Southern. Some of those trucks reportedly did not have the necessary papers as alleged by the security guard.
This was, however, questioned by Aliga, who said that trucks were allowed to enter because they had the necessary papers.
“Pagawason man unta kuno sa guard kay lagi walay permit unya ingon man si Aliga nga nakasulod na kay na’y permit mao nay hinugdan sa ilang lalis,†SPO1 Ruth Violango, homicide investigator, said.
A witness, Rico Atamosa, the head security guard, arrived and tried to settle the matter. However, instead of calming down, Mendoza allegedly pulled out a gun and aimed it at Aliga.
The first shot misfired, but when Mendoza pulled the trigger again he was able to shoot the victim.
Atamosa tried to grab the gun and Mendoza tried to shoot him, but the gun misfired a second time. Atamosa ran off to call for help as Mendoza fled.
Police recovered three empty shells of 9mm cal. pistol, two 9mm rounds and a slug of unknown caliber at the crime scene.
Police said they are yet to check on the status of Aliga at the hospital as the hospital is not giving them any information.
They are also currently doing a follow-up operation to arrest Mendoza. (FREEMAN)