5 dead, 3 hurt in La Union hacking, shooting incident

By Jun Elias and Vic Alhambra

AGOO, La Union — Five persons were killed and three others were wounded when a father and his three sons went on a shooting and hacking rampage here in Barangay Capas Tuesday.

Reynaldo Refuerzo, 30, and his three-year-old daughter Mary Anne; Gil Cabilitazan, 28;  Zosimo Fontanilla, 30; and Gilberto Cecilio, 41, were pronounced dead on arrival in a hospital due to stab wounds in various parts of the body, said Chief Insp. Artemio Infante, Agoo police chief.

Rodel Refuerzo, Gilmar Cabilitazan and Benjie Tabunia remain confined at the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center. 

The suspects were identified as Demetrio Gayo and his sons Noel, Oscar and Ferdinand.

Investigation showed the victims were having a drinking spree along the road when the suspects arrived and Demetrio challenged them to a fight. Noel fired at the victims with a Cal. 45 pistol while Oscar and Ferdinand took turns in stabbing them.

La Union police chief Senior Supt. Ramon Rafael said Ferdinand was arrested Wednesday. A manhunt for the other suspects is underway.

Police are looking at family feud as the motive for the killings.