LASAM, Cagayan -- Three men were gunned down in an altercation during a drinking session in a bar in Barangay Centro 2 here on Monday night, July 29.

Police Major Erwin Ladia, Lasam chief of police, identified the victims as Lasam residents Rex Udarbe, 49; Dennis Purificacion, 56, and Domingo Rigayan, 35.
Ladia said the victims and the suspect, Oliver Pagaduan, 29, also from this town, met each other and figured in an altercation while having a drinking session.
The suspect challenged Udarbe and Purificacion to a fist fight which they accepted.
They went outside and fought but the suspect drew a caliber .45 pistol and shot the two victims.
Rigayan tried to pacify him but was also shot.
The suspect fled and police took the victims to a hospital where they were declared dead.
Police recovered several caliber .45 shells empty shells in the area.
Ladia said they are pursuing the suspect and added that the motive of the incident was misunderstanding due to drunkenness.