Suspect in pastor’s slay jailed; killers of 2 teens, farmer hunted

BANAUE, Ifugao -- A drunken man who shot and killed a young pastor when he allegedly fired indiscriminately his rifle in this town is now in jail.

In Camp Dangwa, Benguet, Chief Supt. Eugene G. Martin, regional police director identified the slain pastor as Marvin Osao, pastor of the Pentecostal church in this province.

Martin named the suspect in the latest violence in this province as James Dinanghay, 23, of Sitio Liwang, Barangay Ibayong, Banaue.

Police investigation showed Dinanghay, who was under the influence of liquor, arrived home, and without any apparent reason, he brought out an M-16 rifle and fired at a vehicle with plate No. SJR 704 parked a few meters from his house.

Barangay Kagawad Frederick Maguiling and Osao, who were then sitting in a tricycle parked a few meters away, were alarmed by the indiscriminate firing.

Maguiling tried to pacify Dinanghay, shouting at him and asking him to stop the firing.
However, Dinanghay ignored Maguiling’s call and pointed the rifle at them. He continued firing with a bullet hitting Osao.

Dinanghay fled to a forested mountain, carrying with him the M-16 rifle. While fleeing, he fired again.

Maguiling, meanwhile, brought Osao to the Good News Hospital with the help of some residents.
Osao was later transferred to the Ifugao General Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Dinanghay later surrendered to the Banaue police station. This came after policemen negotiated with Dinanghay’s relatives for him to surrender.

The suspect was detained in the provincial jail in Lagawe town. The provincial prosecutor’s office was investigating the murder case filed against him by the police.

This, as a manhunt operation is being conducted by police against suspects who shot and killed Philip Madawat a.k.a “Sau,” 18,, single and resident of Poblacion East who was shot on his head and the other victim identified as Tyron Tuguinay Taguiling, student and resident of Dugong, Tungngod of Lagawe.

Martin said the motorcycle used by the suspects in killing Madawat and Taguiling left behind at Barangay Boliwong was already recovered, together with the two empty shells of a 9 mm handgun.

In another incident in Lagawe, a farmer was hacked to death in front of his son last Aug. 17.
The victim was identified as Ronald Dulnuan, 36, and a resident of Sitio Liyang of Barangay Boliwong here.

The suspect was identified as Ventura Cabbigat, 44 and a former army man.

According to witnesses, the victim and the suspect and a certain Efren Julio, a nursery caretaker, were having a drinking spree in that afternoon when Cabbigat reportedly said that he was going to hack Dulnuan because he was a traitor.

Dulnuan was heard asking the suspect not to hack him. Even Dulnuan’s son who was at the vicinity pleaded to Cabbigat not to hurt his father but Cabbigat took his bolo and hit Dulnuan on the neck which led to his instant death.

The suspect escaped the crime scene and Julio also fled out of fear.

Municipal Social Welfare Office Carmen Pantaleon Pantaleon said that Dulnuan’s son, an elementary pupil, was in a state of shock while police were conducting pursuit operations. against the suspect.

This, as four videoke bars were found out by police to have no permits to operate in the province.

These were identified as Papa Joe Karaoke owned by Teresita Pronen, LSO videoke bar owned by Wilson Habungan and Jun-Jebars mini-store, videoke bar and sing-along establishment all in Lagawe and a bar owned by Betty Taguiling in Kiangan;

Reports said a team led by Senior Insp. Esteban Dulnuan found this out after inspecting the establishments whether they complied with business permits, safety equipments precautions such as fire exits and fire extinguishers. -- Mar T. Supnad Dexter A. See and Vency Bulayungan