Village watchmen shoot each other in Abra

BAGUIO CITY — Two supposed to be barangay peace keepers turned their barangay hall into a wild west salon as they engaged in a duel in the night of 22 December at Barangay Poblacion, Pilar, Abra.

The duel resulted in the wounding of the two watchmen. One of their colleagues was also hit by a stray bullet after the two suspects-victims tried who is better shooter among them.

The victim who was hit by the said stray bullet was identified as Alvin Apolonio, 38, barangay tanod and a resident of Barangay Poblacion. The two shooters who both sustained gunshot wounds on their stomach areas were also identified as Romel Reyes and Denver Cayetano, both are village watchmen and residents of the barangay.

According to the initial investigation, Reyes and Cayetano who are both intoxicated were in the barangay hall when an argument erupted between them. The two them drew their guns and fired at each other hitting one another. Victim Apolonio, who was in duty and sitting on a chair, was hit during the encounter of his colleagues.

The shooting happened at 10:35 p.m. of the said date.

Apolonio was discharged from the hospital on the night of 22 December after being treated. The two others are still recuperating from their wounds.

The police recovered empty shells of bullets for .45 caliber. No gun, however, was recovered from the scene.