By Jennifer P. Rendon
A farmer died after he was struck with a firearm afternoon of Nov 7, 2022 in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.
Two strikes on the nape led to the death of Roger Pantonial, 46, a resident of Barangay San Geronimo, Barotac Viejo.
Major Ciriaco Esquilarga, Barotac Viejo police chief, said Pantonial’s own 12-gauge homemade shotgun was instrumental in his death.
Reports said Pantonial and his neighbor-suspect, 41-year-old Marvin Balderas, chanced upon each other around 5 p.m. Monday.
Pantonial, who was drunk, poked a gun at the suspect.
But Balderas grappled for the gun and beat the victim twice with it.
The victim was rushed to the hospital but did not survive.
Esquilarga said that Pantonial reported on Nov 5 that his house was demolished by several men.
It was not immediately known if the victim’s house was on someone else’s lot which led to the demolition.
Esquilarga said that Pantonial believed that Balderas was one of the persons who helped in destroying his house.
When he saw Balderas earlier on Monday, he allegedly went home to drink and, later, to get his firearm.
But in a twist of events, Pantonial’s aim to seek revenge cost him his life.
Balderas immediately surrendered after the incident.
Esquilarga said talks about a settlement between the two camps are underway.
