CEBU, Philippines — A mechanic was shot dead by a still unidentified gunman inside a poultry farm in the southern town of Dalaguete, Cebu Monday night.
A 27-year-old burglar, who allegedly killed and robbed Larry Villonga, a senior citizen, inside the latter’s house in Barangay Basak San Nicolas last May 7, was arrested yesterday morning by the agents of Mambaling Police Station in Cebu City during the service of warrant.
Michael del Rosario, in an interview with local reporters, admitted to killing Villonga.
Del Rosario, however, said he did not intend to kill the senior but was triggered when the latter took a knife upon seeing him.
The suspect said he wrestled for the knife and they stumbled down the stairs.
When Villonga’s head hit the tiles, del Rosario said he stabbed and choked him to death.
"Pag-ilog nako, natagak mi sa hagdanan, then pagkatagak namo kay iyang ulo maoy napantok sa tiles, nya mao to nga naglisod syag barok, didto na nako sya gikoan, ako nalang syang gipatay,"he said.
"Ako ayang gidunggab, nya mao to buhi pa man sya pagdunggab, mao to nga ako syang gituok,"he added.
He said he regretted killing Villonga.
"Nakonsenya ko kay gatago man ko, nya inig katug nako iya man gyud nawong ug akong gibuhat akong makita,"he said, adding that he was under the influence of illegal drugs when he committed the crime.
He admitted that it was not the first time he committed robbery/burglary, saying Villonga was his eight victim.
Del Rosario also said he got arrested seven times for robbery charges.
Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Deputy City Director for Operations Wilbert Parilla said del Rosario was identified through the information received by the police station and the statements of witnesses.
As for the shooting in Dalaguete’s Barangay Tapon, Ronelo Gono, a 36-year-old auto mechanic, succumbed to a gunshot wound to his head.
Dalaguete police are eyeing personal grudge as the motive behind Gono’s murder.
Based on the initial investigation, Dalaguete police chief Pedy Noval said Gono was not in good terms with some of his co-workers.
Gono, Noval said, was one of the farm’s trusted employees.
Noval said the farm owner has agreed to let workers undergo a paraffin test to see who fired a gun. — KQD (FREEMAN)