BY IAN PAUL CORDERO and GLENDA TAYONA
ILOILO City – A neighborhood shooting at Laguda Extension, Barangay Magsaysay Village, La Paz district left a 15-year-old boy dead.
Jezryl Jalandoni died at the Medicus Medical Center in Mandurriao district over four hours after he was shot. His brother Jeddiah, 18, and mother Marites, 44, sustained gunshot wounds but survived.
The shooting happened at around 9:20 p.m. on Thursday as the Jalandonis were returning home. Their Isuzu Sportivo was strafed. Marites was driving the vehicle.
Alarmed by two successive shootings this week, Mayor Jose Espinosa III said he would form a “quick reaction team” to respond to this kind of incident. On Tuesday, a policeman was ambushed in Barangay Dulonan, Arevalo district.
A suspect in the La Paz shooting had been identified – neighbor Teopisto “Totong” Sebanta, 47. As of this writing his whereabouts were unknown.
But the getaway vehicle – a Honda Click 125i motorcycle – was recovered at the boardinghouse the suspect operated in Barangay Magdalo, La Paz, according to Senior Inspector Jose Val Ladublan, La Paz police chief.
There were two other family members in the vehicle – Jezryl’s sisters, 11 and 13 years old. They were unhurt.
“It is unfortunate that these incidents happened. I have talked to the city police director, Senior Superintendent Henry Biñas, about my plan. We need personnel,” said Espinosa.
Sebanta escaped to unknown directions using a Honda Click 125i motorcycle, said Ladublan, but not before Jeddiah, who took over the driver’s seat from his mother despite his gunshot wound, gave the suspect a chase.
Ladublan said the Isuzu Sportivo managed to hit the motorcycles’ rear in nearby Barangay Bantud, La Paz, causing the suspect to fall.
Sebanta got up quickly and sped away. He, however, dropped his gun during the fall and failed to retrieve it, said Ladublan.
Responding policemen recovered the gun – a .9mm pistol.
Espinosa bared another plan – purchase 15 more patrol cars for the Iloilo City Police Office.
“Through these patrol cars, we will improve police mobility. They will be more equipped to respond to security emergencies,” said Espinosa.
Jesryl was hit on the head, said Ladublan. The teenager occupied the front seat of their family vehicle.
From what the La Paz police so far gathered, there were five successive bursts of gunfire.
The Jalandonis had no idea why they were attacked, said Ladublan, as they never had any conflict with Sebanta.
Residents, however, said noise from the Jalandoni house when friends visit may have angered the suspect./PN
What happened to Iloilo it is a killing zone already. Cop are busy in operation against drug but the homeside were left behind. Where are the security in the city, the cops, the tanod of the barangay. Somebody can easily killed anybody without hesitation. ICPO where are you.