By Jennifer P. Rendon
A former seafarer did not survive after they were haphazardly shot afternoon of July 9, 2022 in Miag-ao, Iloilo.
Edison Taba, 36, a resident of Barangay Kirayan Sur, Miag-ao, suffered gunshot wounds on his mouth, neck, right hand, and left arm.
He was rushed to Miag-ao Rural Health Unit but died while undergoing treatment.
His companion, Rian Mark Lenaming, 32, a resident of Barangay Cabudian, Dueñas, Iloilo but temporarily residing in Hibao-an Sur, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, was wounded in the shooting episode.
Lenaming suffered two gunshot injuries on his back. He is confined to Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.
Their other companion, Paul Rainiel Pascual, was unharmed.
Captain Marvin Buenavista, Miag-ao police chief, said the incident happened around 4:15 p.m. Saturday at Barangay Banuyao, a village just a kilometer away from the police station.
The three victims were on board a black Suzuki Rusco multicab loaded with sand and gravel. They were driving from the shoreline when they were shot by a lone gunman who was standing on the roadside.
After popping several bullets, the suspect boarded an orange motorcycle. Witnesses claimed he was wearing a black shirt, a bonnet, and a crash helmet.
Buenavista said they already have a person of interest behind the incident but did not go into details.
He claimed that personal grudges could have triggered the incident but did not offer other information.
Buenavista mentioned about blotter reports but declined to name who were involved. He also refused to identify who was the target of the shooting incident.
It was gathered that Taba had stayed for good in his hometown after suing his manning agency and was subsequently awarded with financial claims.
Taba was into a small money lending operation that only offered loan to persons he personally knew.
