4 arrested in shooting of bocap, manager, 2 others

BUCAY, Abra -- A driver and four helpers of a ferryboat who shot a barangay chairman and his companion along the river bank in Dugong, Bucay, Abra night of Dec. 26 were arrested last week.

 Victims were identified as Romel Carsola Bargas, 25, barangay chairman of Pangtod Pidigan town: Joey Bacheco Damondon, 39, manager of Damondon Funeral Homes, Joey Boy Balucas Bargas, 22 and JomarBargas, 20, both helpers of Damondon Funeral Homes, and all residents of Pangtod.

Suspects were identified as SaturninoLondeClaor, 42, ferry boat driver, RogelVibas Lizardo, 20; Brian Gonzales Bides, 26; Joel BabalconSevilla, 32; and Fernando Pineda Ballacillo, 47, all ferry boat helpers and residents of Dugong, Bucay.

Investigation revealed victims came from a funeral Barangay Quimloong, Bucay and aboard a Mitsubishi Space Gear vehicle and were about to pass the eastern edge of the land bridge and pay their pass when RomelBargas requested for a discount but the suspects refused.

As a result, a heated argument ensued that resulted in the shooting of Romel Bargas and Joey Boy Bargas.

Victims were immediately brought to Seares Memorial Hospital while their two other companions were unhurt.

Immediately the suspects were arrested by the responding police personnel of Bucay police and positively identified by one of the victims.

One deformed slug of unknown caliber was recovered at the crime scene.