BACOLOD CITY -- A soldier of the Army 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) was killed while another soldier and three other persons were wounded in a shooting in a restobar in Barangay Singcang-Airport here on Wednesday, Nov. 16.
The fatality was identified as Private First Class Edmark Iwayan, 26, of Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
Wounded were Iwayan’s colleague, Private First Class Joebert Villagracia, 29, of Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental; restobar owner and former soldier Joebert Visem, 25, of Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, and suspects bank accountant Ulysis Carampatana, 41, and Joseph John Magahum, 45, both residents of Barangay Taculing here.
Major Joery Puerto, head of Police Station 8, said that Iwayan invited Villagracia to tag along with him after receiving their bonus on Nov. 15.
They visited their friend and classmate Visem in his place and had a drinking session.
Puerto said that the group of Carampatana arrived around midnight and they also had a drinking session.
However, when Visem announced that he will only accomodate Carampatana’s group as he will close, the suspect allegedly drew his .9mm caliber firearm, prompting Iwayan and Visem to pacify him until they all grappled for the gun.
Puerto said Magahum also allegedly joined in wresting the firearm.
During the commotion, Villagracia was talking to someone on his cellular phone outside the restobar.
He attempted to help his friends but someone from Carampatana’s group allegedly hit him with a hard object in the head and he fell unconscious.
Puerto said that Iwayan sustained eight bullet wounds and was declared dead on arrival in a hospital, while Visem, Carampatana, and Magahum each had a bullet wound and were brought to separate hospitals here.
Police recovered from the crime scene 11 fired cartridges of .9mm caliber firearm, five fired cartridges of .45 caliber firearm, five deformed slugs, and Iwayan’s .45 caliber service firearm.
However, Carampatana’s firearm was not recovered and was believed taken by his companions who fled, Puerto said.
Puerto said that Iwayan was probably able to return fire against the suspects, considering the fired bullets recovered from the crime scene.
Puerto said they are awaiting Iwayan’s family to arrive here for the filing of murder case against Carampatana.