ILOILO — A long-standing dispute ended in tragedy on January 16 after a 22-year-old man was shot dead near his home in Barangay Quinulpan, San Enrique town.
The victim, identified as Joshua Barlan, was declared dead on arrival at the Don Valerio Palmares Sr. Memorial District Hospital in Passi City, Iloilo after sustaining a severe gunshot wound to the abdomen.
According to San Enrique Municipal Police Station chief Lt. Cristy Val Dalde, the shooting occurred at approximately 11 p.m. Barlan was at a sari-sari store to buy a bag of ice when he was shot.
Witness accounts suggest that the suspect identified as Charlie Sumido, 55, who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol, retrieved a firearm from his house, and opened fire at the victim.
Police believe the attack was rooted in a grudge dating back nearly two years ago. Sumido had previously filed a malicious mischief case against Barlan, accusing the latter of throwing stones at his house and damaging his fence.
Barlan had recently returned home from Manila, where he had been residing.
The suspect fled the after the incident and remained at large as of press time.
Dalde said a hot pursuit operation is ongoing and they are preparing murder charges against the suspect.
Authorities are urging anyone with information on the suspect’s whereabouts to contact the San Enrique police to assist in the ongoing investigation./PN
