Death toll in Masbate gun attack rises to 5

The death toll in the shooting spree in the town of Aroroy in Masbate has risen to five from the three initial fatalities reported last Saturday.

GMA News reported Sunday that two of the three wounded who were rushed to a hospital succumbed to their wounds while being treated.

An initial report on Saturday indicated that three were killed on the spot and three others were rushed to a hospital after a group of armed men went on a shooting rampage at the house of Barangay Nabongsoran Chairman-elect Leo Cabarles last Friday night.

Sunday's GMA News report identified the five fatalities as:

• Ariel Rubis Madrilejos, 30, barangay tanod
• John Paul Aguilar Cristobal, 19, SK kagawad
• Dijie Roxas Cabarles, 31
• Jeo Villantes Cabarles, 21
• Ricky Perez Alejo, 29, barangay tanod

The wounded, who is still being treated at a hospital was identified as Jury Pablo Cabarles, 31, chief of tanods of Barangay Nabongsoran.

According to the Aroroy Police Office, they received a call at about 9:15 p.m. on Friday regarding a shooting incident in Barangay Nabongsoran.

When the police arrived, three of the victims were found dead, while three others were already brought to a hospital.

Jeo Villantes Cabarles and the Ricky Perez Alejo died later in the hospital.

Authorities recovered from the crime scene several empty bullet shells of cal .45 and M16 rifle.

The attack

An initial police investigation showed that the victims were having a light moment inside the compound of the house of barangay chairman Leo Cabarles when a group of armed men barged in from the back of the house and opened fire.

Chairman Cabarles was able to slip away from the attackers, who swiftly fled after the shooting spree.

Aroroy authorities are investigating the incident and are suspecting that the target of the attack was Chairman Cabarles.

The police noted that right after the latest barangay polls, there was an attempt on the life of Cabarles. —LBG, GMA News