By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A construction worker died after being punched by a fish vendor on Sunday evening, September 8, inside the public market here.
Rodante Talukod Villaranda, 39, of Barangay Inzo Arnaldo, was declared dead on arrival at Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital after an altercation with Ronaldo Balbona, also known as “Tolisok,” of Barangay Milibili.
The incident occurred at the Teodoro Arcenas Trade Center (TATC) in Barangay VIII, Roxas City.
An investigation by the Roxas City police revealed that a TATC collector, identified only as alias Joshua, saw Villaranda unconscious and lying on the floor at Gate 4.
The collector immediately sought help from a security guard, and police assistance was requested.
According to the collector, Balbona claimed that while he was drinking liquor with a friend, Villaranda, who was allegedly intoxicated, approached him and attempted to stab him with a knife.
In self-defense, Balbona punched Villaranda in the jaw.
When Villaranda persisted in his aggressive behavior, Balbona punched him again in the mouth, causing him to fall and hit his head on a gutter.
The Roxas City Emergency Response Team (RCERT) arrived and rushed Villaranda to the hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician.
A hot pursuit operation is underway as police search for Balbona, who fled the scene after the incident.
