ILOILO — What was meant to be a peaceful Holy Week gathering at the Malagumpit River in Calinog town turned into a scene of chaos on Good Friday, April 3, after a violent altercation between two feuding groups left three people wounded by gunfire and stabbing.
The incident occurred in Barangay Cahigon, where families had converged for traditional holiday festivities. According to Police Major Miles Dieron, chief of the Calinog Municipal Police Station, the confrontation quickly escalated from a heated argument into a commotion involving a knife and an unidentified firearm.
Police investigation revealed a rapid succession of violence among the involved parties. A 62-year-old resident, identified as alias “Roque,” was allegedly stabbed by a 50-year-old local identified as alias “Jose.” Moments after the stabbing, another individual identified as alias “Anggay” reportedly opened fire, hitting Jose. In the ensuing crossfire and confusion, a barangay kagawad identified as alias “JP” was also struck by a bullet.
A minor was also reported to have sustained a minor injury during the commotion but was treated and released from the hospital shortly after. Authorities were still verifying the exact circumstances of the child’s injury.
Witnesses and viral video footage of the brawl depict a terrifying scene. Families and children were seen scrambling for cover as the sound of gunfire echoed across the riverbank. The three primary victims — Roque, Jose, and JP — were rushed to a nearby hospital. Hospital officials have since confirmed that while the injuries required immediate medical attention, none are considered life-threatening.
Dieron stated that the violence appears to be rooted in a “longstanding grudge” between the two families involved. The chance encounter at the river served as a flashpoint for the simmering tension. While Anggay reportedly fled the scene with the firearm used in the shooting, as of press time, police were conducting a manhunt and investigation to determine the caliber of the weapon.
In response to the outbreak of violence, the Calinog Municipal Police and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) have heightened their presence in Barangay Cahigon to restore order and prevent further retaliatory acts.
Local police urged the community to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities.
“We are committed to getting to the bottom of this conflict to ensure the safety of our residents, especially during these days of solemnity and reflection,” Dieron said./PN
