By Jennifer P. Rendon
A village official was shot and killed on the morning of Oct. 24 in Tigbauan, Iloilo.
Joevanie Triste, 58, an incumbent barangay kagawad and former barangay captain of San Rafael, Tigbauan, died from seven gunshot wounds to his lower right chest.
According to Barangay Kagawad Crispin Triste, he, his younger brother Joevanie, some barangay tanod, and several other residents were clearing fallen trees before the incident.
Crispin and the group moved ahead while Joevanie and a tanod stayed behind.
It came as a shock to Crispin when he learned that his brother had been shot and killed.
Captain Alfred Mansoy, Tigbauan police chief, said the victim and John Castro Jr., 51, a resident of Barangay San Rafael, had a heated argument.
During the argument, Castro allegedly shot Triste.
Mansoy said they are looking into old grudges as the possible motive for the shooting.
Castro had previously been arrested on April 3, 2024, for illegal possession of firearms and making threats.
While an old grudge seems to be the primary motive, Mansoy said they are also considering other angles, including jealousy.
Castro allegedly blamed Triste for his estrangement from his live-in partner.
Members of the Tigbauan Emergency Response Team rushed the victim to Rep. Pedro G. Trono Memorial Hospital in Guimbal town, but he was declared dead on arrival.
As of press time, the suspect remains at large.
