by Julius Mariveles and Robert Gaquit Jr
MURCIA, Negros Occidental, Philippines – The son, 7, of man here is still in shock, somerimes appearing lost in thought and stuttering when he speaks after witnessing gunmen killing his father with a single shot tp the head early Saturday evening in Alegria village.
The suspect of a separate murder in Minoyan village, on the other hand, denied killing the victim, his neighbor, calling him a “kumpare (literally godfather), also a friend or buddy” as police detain him after being arrested over the victim’s wife that he was the killer.
“Why would I kill him? He was my kumpare,” suspected killer Neman Emperoa told DNX from the police detention cell here as he admitted to going to Gerry Francisco’s house after hearing what sounded like a gunshot.
He said he was surprised to see a bloodied Francisco, 58, already dead.
Police said the victim was shot in the neck with a firearm of unknown make and caliber.
In a separate murder case in the village of Alegria, deputy town police chief, Lieutenant Leo Anthony Genita, told DNX
He added Francisco’s common-law wife saw him go inside their house.
Police will charge Francisco for murder.
Meanwhile, Genita said the lack of witesses is hampeing their probe on the murder of Romeo Cumabao, 46, who was also shot and died on the spot on a dark plantation trail in Alegria village about 30 kilometers away from the town center.
He added they are looking at Cumabao’s sideline job as a gamefowl broker as one of the motives for his murder.
Cumabao’s fulltime job is that of a welder.
