Uncle dead, nephew wounded after dispute turns into gunfight in Batangas

A 65-year-old man was killed while his nephew, a retired police officer, was wounded after a misunderstanding escalated into a gunfight in Padre Garcia, Batangas, police said Monday.

In a press briefing, Padre Garcia Police acting chief Police Major Frank Davis Tuddao identified the fatality as jeepney driver “Ruben” and the injured individual as 55-year-old retired cop “Emil.”

The two were relatives by marriage, with the wife of the slain jeepney driver being the aunt of the retired police officer, Tuddao said.

Based on CCTV footage captured on May 15, Emil was seen inside their compound when Ruben approached and fired at him.

Emil then drew his firearm and returned fire, hitting Ruben.

“Makikita po natin na una pong bumunot ng baril yung suspek, meron pong sufficient provocation po on the part of the suspect po natin. And yun po, lumaban na rin po yung ating victim to defend himself,” Tuddao said.

(We can see that the suspect was the first to draw a gun; there was sufficient provocation on the part of our suspect. And the victim also fought back to defend himself.)

Ruben reportedly died on the spot while Emil remained in unstable condition.

Authorities recovered two firearms from the scene: a caliber .45 used by the jeepney driver and a caliber .40 used by the retired police officer.

Ruben fired six shots, while Emil fired 12, according to police.

Investigators said the retired police officer’s firearm was properly documented, while verification is ongoing on the registration and license of the jeepney driver’s gun.

Initial findings showed the two had a history of frequent arguments dating back to 2018. Police also said both men may have been under the influence of alcohol during the incident.

As of posting time, no formal complaint has been filed, as both families are focused on the wake of the slain man and the treatment of the wounded retired police officer.

Although the PNP’s initial assessment indicates the former police officer acted in self-defense, police said the decision to file charges still rests with the family of the deceased. — With reports from Vince Angelo Ferreras/MCG, GMA News