2 kids dead in market shootout
ROXAS CITY – Two children fell after being hit in a series of gunshots that shattered the busy market place of Teodoro Arcenas Trade Center (TATC) last Thursday, 4:30 in the afternoon.
Seven-year-old Jason Pelaez was declared 'Dead on Arrival' by the hospital's attending physicians. Nicole Soberano, a 10-year old boy, and his mother Editha Soberano, 45-year old, were rushed to Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital for immediate medical attention. Nicole died eight hours later.
Pelaez was hit on his arm. The bullet went through the side of his body and hit his vital organs that caused his instantaneous death. The bullet is believed to have come from a 9 m.m. caliber pistol.
Editha Soberano was scratched on the face by a bullet of unknown caliber, while her son Nicole was hit on his temple, the bullet struck his head and damaged the brain.
Roxas City Mayor Vicente B. Bermejo, personally went to TATC to investigate after the shootout and visited the families of the victims at the hospital. The city government shouldered the hospital bills.
According to witnesses, the shootout stemmed from a heated argument among four TATC watchmen. They pulled out their guns and shot each other.
The suspects are the casual employees of the city government assigned to TATC as watchmen. They are Ricky Besana, Ariston Eudela, Efren Diaz and Ariel Cerilo.
Cerilo was hit by a bullet in the leg and brought to a nearby hospital where police authorities captured him. Diaz, Besana and Eudela surrendered a day after to the authorities of the Roxas City PNP and were brought to the Provincial Command at Camp Apil in Brgy. Lanot, this city for tactical interrogation and paraffin test examination.