By Jennifer P. Rendon
A businessman inadvertently streamed his own fatal shooting through Facebook Live.
Ryan Relator, 44, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Banga, Aklan, was doing his usual night ride on board his Harley-Davidson motorcycle when riding-in-tandem persons shot him around 8:45 p.m. on September 12 in front of the barangay hall of New Buswang, Kalibo town.
Relator went live on Facebook when he started his drive from Banga town.
From his hometown, he went around Kalibo and had dinner. Friends claimed that it was usual for Relator to record his rides via Facebook Live.
As he was navigating Mercedes Village, around three gunfire volleys were heard.
It appeared that Relator was still able to drive after the shots. Shortly later, he was heard writhing in pain and asked for “tabang” (help). He was again heard in agonizing pain before uttering “tabang.”
The area was dimly lit and the incident was not clearly caught on video.
It was assumed that when the victim stumbled to the ground, the suspects again repeatedly shot him.
It can be heard in the video that some residents later checked on him.
He was later taken to Dr. Rafael S. Tumbukon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH) where he underwent surgery but died at 12:53 a.m. Wednesday.
Lieutenant Colonel Ricky Bontogon, Kalibo police chief, said Relator succumbed to five gunshot wounds on his back. It was assumed that the bullets pierced and exited from the front part of his body. He was also hit on the neck and wrist.
Even after the victim was rushed to the hospital, the Facebook Live continued until his phone battery was drained.
Relator, who used to work as a nurse, co-owns a construction supply company with his wife.
But the two couple are already estranged and his wife has filed for a temporary protection order against him.
Bontogon said an investigation is still ongoing to identify the suspects.
Several days ago, an unnamed man recorded on the police blotter that the victim was seen with a firearm.
“But he did that for recording purposes. We already contacted him and he’s willing to cooperate with us,” Bontogon said.
Investigation showed that the two suspects were on board a Honda Click motorcycle and sped off to Baybay, New Buswang, after the commission of the crime.
Meanwhile, a Foton traveler van’s back windshield was hit with a stray bullet during the incident.
But its driver, 50-year-old Benjamin Jochico of 1003 Azucena St, Mercedez, New Buswang, was unharmed.
