By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – Three persons appeared at Police Station 8 here yesterday to testify on the shooting incident and commotion triggered by drunkenness in a restobar at Barangay Singcang-Airport here last Wednesday.
Police Major Joery Puerto, head of Police Station 8, said that these persons were among the companions of the group of bank accountant Ulysis Carampatana, 41, of Barangay Taculing here.
Puerto said that these persons cannot be considered suspects as they have no participation in the shooting, despite being with Carampatana’s group.
Police were able to get some statements from these persons and they will check if their statements corroborate with the testimony of their other companion, 45-year-old Joseph John Magahum, who was wounded in the shooting incident.
Puerto said that despite being with Carampatana’s group, these persons were not involved in the gunfight between Carampatana and Private First Class (PFC) Edmark Iwayan, 26, of Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
Based on the initial investigation, Carampatana allegedly drew his firearm when restobar owner and former soldier Joebert Visem, 25, of Sipalay City, announced that he will take their last order as the bar will be closing.
Iwayan and Carampatana grappled for the gun, until it fired, hitting Iwayan several times that caused his death.
But based on further investigation, Puerto said Iwayan and Carampatana got into an argument after the latter allegedly refused to leave when Visem announced that the bar will be closing already.
Puerto said that Iwayan and Carampatana then allegedly pointed their firearms against each other until Carampatana allegedly fired first, hitting Iwayan.
Carampatana allegedly shot Iwayan successively, but the latter was able to retaliate, hitting Carampatana in the shoulder. Puerto said.
“Double tapping, kay series of gunshots, shooter ni siguro ang suspect (Carampatana),” Puerto said, adding that they received information that he is either a member of a gun club or a gun enthusiast.
Visem ran to the back of the restobar to hide, but he was also allegedly shot by Carampatana in his leg.
Iwayan succumbed to eight gunshot wounds.
Puerto said that Iwayan’s colleague, PFC Joebert Villagracia, 29, of Moises Padilla town, failed to pacify the commotion as he was allegedly mauled by Carampatana’s three companions.
Someone hit his head with a hard object causing him to lose consciousness, the station commander added.
Puerto said that one of Carampatana’s companions took him to a private hospital using the suspect’s pick-up truck before leaving the vehicle at the suspect’s house.
Carampatana reportedly invited his group to have another drinking session at the said restobar after they had their first session in a sari-sari store in Barangay Taculing early that night.
Puerto said that two more persons from Carampatana’s group are still at large. These two persons were allegedly involved in mauling Villagracia, he added.
Puerto said these were based on the statements of Magahum and his three companions, who surfaced.
“Their statements had similarities, and from there, police can be able to determine what really happened and who was involved in the shooting, he added.
Police are preparing the necessary documents for the filing of a murder case against Carampatana, who is still under hospital arrest.
Puerto said Carampatana’s .9mm caliber firearm has yet to be located. Only Iwayan’s .45-caliber firearm was recovered from the scene.
Villagracia and Visem were already discharged from the hospital and were also asked for their statements.
Puerto said the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) also went to the police station last Wednesday to coordinate with the police regarding the investigation as they will conduct their separate probe.
Iwayan and Villagracia were augmentation personnel from Panay to reinforce the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) during the series of clashes in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City last month.
