A two-year-old boy sang the “Happy Birthday” song while a candle was lit on the spot where his father died.

Ricky Doronila, 34 years old, a delivery rider, was shot several times in Barangay Tabuc Suba, La Paz District, Iloilo City evening on May 4, 2025.

The rider’s wife, Ivy Joy Doronila, and their son, Kerby, arrived in Iloilo City from Negros Occidental.

Ivy Joy said that prior to the incident, she was excited to come home to Iloilo City to be with her husband. In fact, she prepared a “pasalubong” (gift) for him.

"Naka-video call pa kami. Sabi niya, excited na siya sa pag-uwi ko. Tapos nami-miss niya si Kerby. May dala akong jacket na pasalubong ko sana sa kanya pero wala na siya,” Ivy Joy said.

Ricky was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital for sustaining multiple gunshot wounds after he was shot four times by his own "kumpare" (to mean either a friend or a fellow godparent) identified as Ronaldo Jeruta, also a resident of the said place.

Prior to the incident, the suspect had a drink with the neighbor of the victim. The victim had a drink also inside his own house.

According to a neighbor, she heard the suspect and the victim in an altercation.

The suspect accused the victim of hurling a rock at his house where there was an ongoing drinking session.

There were persons who reportedly tried to intervene but failed to pacify the suspect.

“Hanggang ang kapatid ng biktima, nagsabi sa suspek na hindi sila ang naghagis ng bato. Sumigaw (ang kapatid) na humihingi ng tulong,” alias “Inday,” a neighbor, said.

Eight slugs purportedly from a 9mm pistol were recovered from the site.

According to Gaspar Casipe, barangay councilman, the suspect worked as a security guard, and that he has a record for pointing a gun at a neighbor in 2023.  

“Ang record lang naman niya sa barangay ay panunutok ng baril sa kanyang kapitbahay. Inakbayan niya daw ito dahil may atraso ito sa kanya,” Casipe said.

A hot pursuit operation is ongoing, as of this writing, to determine the whereabouts of the suspect who is facing charges for murder. 

“Pinuntahan natin ang bahay ng suspek at ang mga malapit na kamag-anak niya sa barangay pero wala siya roon,” said Major Tranquilino Querubin Jr., officer in charge of the Iloilo City Police Station 2.

The police are also pursuing the angle on possible past conflict between the suspect and the victim.