Farmer dies in gunfight with cop

By Myds Supnad

BANGUED, Abra- A farmer who reportedly shot it out with a policeman was shot dead in a gun duel in Lagayan town.

Police report said Melborgo Groesbeck reportedly went berserk but was shot dead by responding policemen in Barangay Bai, Lagayan.

Police report said Groesbeck,had earlier shot  Mariano Siobad Boling, 58 for unknown reason. Boling was wounded in the attack.

According to Lagayan police report,  Boling was at the backyard of a certain Jordan Batallao chopping fire woods when he heard  successive gun shots.

This prompted Boling to verify what is happening and saw Groesbeck armed with a firearm and pointing it at everyone.  

Boling tried to pacify him but Groesbeck shot him hitting the upper right part of his abdomen. He was rushed to a hospital.

At this juncture, PO1 Junar Bandril Camacho responded at the crime scene and saw Groesbeck still armed with a firearm.

PO1 Camacho identified himself as policeman and advised him to surrender.

Groesbeck shot the policeman three times but missed, prompting PO1 Camacho to fire back.

An exchange of gunfire ensued until Groesbeck was hit on different parts of his body causing his instant death, police said.

In Pidigan town, meanwhile, Rodolfo Cabutaje and his wife Carmelita Cabutaje were seriously wounded when they were shot at Sitio Barbarangay, Barangay Alinaya, Pidigan, Abra.

Initial Investigation conducted by Pidigan police disclosed that the couple was about to eat dinner when they heard a motorcycle passed by their house, then heard several gun shots.

The couple hid at the back of their wooden cabinet but unfortunately, Carmelita Cabutaje was hit on the left side of her face while Rodolfo Cabutaje sustained gunshot wound on his stomach.

 The victims were immediately rushed to Abra Provincial Hospital, Bangued, Abra for medical treatment.

Police recovered 14 empty cartridges of carbine 2 empty cartridges of Cal. 45, more or less 40 meters from their house and 1 slug of carbine and a bullet fragment at the house.

Motive is yet to be determined as investigation is still going on.