STA. MARCELA, Apayao August 30 – Three persons died while another person was injured after a man went amok during a drinking session before taking his life at Purok 2, Sipa, here, Monday night.
Police Brig. Gen. Mafelino Bazar, regional director of the Police Regional Office (PRO) in the Cordillera, identified the fatalities as Bong Badua Ramirez, 48, married, farmer; Ryan Santi Soriano, 39, married, farmer and Edmar Turilla Aguinaldo, 30, married, farmer. The other injured was identified as Stephen Jones Baysa Salvatiera, 33, married and also a farmer.
The suspect was identified as Norvie Pacheco Romerro, 32. The suspect and the victims are all residents of Barangay Sipa, Sta. Marcela, Apayao.
According to the result of the police investigation, the victims together with Romerro were having a drinking session at the residence of one of their friends. Without apparent reason, the suspect suddenly brought out firearm from his sling bag and shot his drinking mates. The gunman successively hit the heads of Bong Ramirez, Ryan Soriano and Edmar Aguinaldo while Stephen Jones Salvatiera was hit on the shoulder.
Two of their drinking buddies Benjamin Vega and Ericson Aguinaldo managed to run and hide at a distance.
After shooting his victims, the suspect committed suicide by shooting his head killing him instantly.
The suspect’s father Norberto Romero, appeared at the crime scene and allegedly took the firearm that was used by his son in killing his victims and himself before leaving the crime scene.
The older Ramero was arrested later after a hot pursuit operation conducted by Sta. Marcela Police and Apayao Police Provincial Office.
Recovered from him was the firearm described as Glock 17, Gen4 with defaced Serial Number. The older Romerro will be facing criminal charge for obstruction of justice.
The victims Edmar Aguinaldo and Stephen Salvatiera were rushed to Far North Luzon General Hospital and Training Center but Edmar Aguinaldo was declared dead on arrival while Salvatiera is still undergoing medical treatment.