By: Jennifer P. Rendon
A 39-YEAR-OLD man was arrested after he allegedly shot dead his teenage cousin evening of Sept. 30, 2019 in Maasin, Iloilo.
Suspect Florante Montefrio was drunk when the gun attack happened. The incident claimed the life of his 15-year-old second cousin, Rayven Montefrio.
The victim, a Grade 9 student, succumbed to pellet wounds on his left knee, left shoulder, and back.
Prior to the incident, Florante was on a drinking binge with their uncles and several others at the Montefrio compound in Barangay Abilay.
The drinking spree started 8:30 p.m. But after an hour, the older Montefrios went unruly.
Rayven then asked their uncle to avoid creating alarm and scandal.
Witnesses claimed that a commotion occurred until Florante drew and fired a 12-gauge shotgun.
Police Captain Menrico Candaliza, Maasin police chief, said they cannot ascertain if Florante intended to shoot Rayven.
The victim was rushed to Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital in Cabatuan town where he was declared dead on arrival.
The suspect was subsequently arrested.
Reports claimed that Florante was among the 60 persons who were slapped with string of criminal charges following the attack on the Maasin Police Station on June 18, 2017.
But local police claimed he was not a member of the New People’s Army (NPA).
While it could not be ascertained if he was a rebel sympathizer, the charges against Florante stemmed from reports that he allegedly aided rebels who attacked the police station.
The development of the case remains unclear. For now, he is facing fresh criminal raps for the death of his young cousin.
