Sun.Star: 1 killed, cop hurt in Cebu gang war

One person was killed while a policeman was wounded while trying to pacify a rumble between two groups marking the feast day of St. John the Baptist in Toledo City in Cebu Sunday. Sun.Star Cebu reported Tuesday that the policeman, Police Officer (PO) 1 Arman Enriquez, was trying to prevent tensions from escalating between the warring groups in Poblacion village in Toledo City when he was shot. Enriquez said he ran to the area where a benefit dance was being held after hearing gunshots. When he arrived, he saw Bienvenido Baroma running with a .357-cal. revolver. He chased Baroma, who dropped to his knees and aimed directly at Enriquez and shot the policeman at the abdomen. Though wounded, Enriquez managed to grab his gun and fire at Baroma twice, hitting him in the leg and chest. Baroma died at the Toledo City District Hospital. Enriquez was also rushed there but was eventually transferred to a private hospital. The police said the bullet hit his belt and that only splinters were able to penetrate his abdomen. Toledo Mayor Arlene Zambo's close-in bodyguard, PO2 Ruben Pajelino, also happened to be nearby and ran to arrest three of the group members. Another gang member pointed a gun at him from behind but the gun failed to fire though his would-be assailant pulled the trigger thrice. Pajelino heard his frantic wife shout at him before and turned to see that the man was behind him. The still unidentified man was able to flee. Bystanders ganged up on three more gang members, who each had a loaded .357-cal. revolver. They were identified as Salem Alegado, 18; Artemio Nadela, 37; and Jonathan Pardillo, 32. The three and Baroma hail from Barangay Captain Claudio, Toledo City. They claimed that they merely wanted to attend the dance but another group reportedly got envious. "I don't know why they were jealous of our companion," said Pardillo, saying the other group took particular interest on Alegado. Alegado said that when he entered the dance area, someone intentionally hit him. The trouble started when someone from the other group allegedly pulled out an ice pick. Superintendent Leodegardo Acebedo, Toledo City police chief, said those arrested were involved in a similar melee in last year's fiesta. He said they were victims of "paregla" or an unprovoked attack last year. Acebedo said he believes they returned last Sunday to retaliate. Watchmen in the area reportedly urged them to leave but they allegedly vowed to stay and fight back. Mayor Zambo assured Enriquez that the city government will provide cash assistance to him. Enriquez is assigned at the Balamban Police Station. She also told Acebedo to double or strengthen police visibility during activities such as neighborhood dances. Acebedo, though, admitted it will be hard to provide police details for every benefit dance held in the city because they only have 56 policemen. Since the dance in Sitio San Juan was not far from the police station, he decided not to detail a policeman there and instead instructed the alert team assigned to patrol the city to include the dance in their patrols. He also said village watchmen were in the area to help maintain order. Acebedo said he could only prioritize critical areas that are far. - GMANews.TV