The police neutralized a gunman after he shot and killed a businessman and injured another man at the Dancalan Public Plaza in Ilog, Negros Occidental, Tuesday morning, Aug. 5.
Killed was Philip George Vail Sr., who was a businessman and chairman of the board of the Dancalan Private Academy, a private high school in Brgy. Dancalan, the police said.
Stephen Tuanes, 36, was hit by a stray bullet and is now recovering from a gunshot wound to the buttocks.
The suspect, whose identity is currently being withheld pending further background verification, was shot dead by responding police officers after he fired upon them while attempting to flee on a motorcycle.
Maj. Randy Babor, Ilog police chief, said the incident began around 7:30 a.m. when PCpl Daniel Elbanbuena heard a gunshot while patrolling near the plaza.
When Elbanbuena and PSSg Jason Gentilezo rushed to the scene they saw the suspect trying to escape and attempted to arrest him.
However, the suspect fired at them forcing Elbanbuena to return fire, killing the gunman on the spot.
Initial investigation revealed that Vail Sr., who was in his 50s, was shot in the neck by the suspect and was found lifeless at the scene.
A .22 caliber revolver believed to be in Vail’s possession and a .45 caliber pistol from the suspect were recovered at the site, along with three spent cartridge cases.
The police are still trying to determine the motive behind the incident. Murder charges would have been filed against the suspect had he survived.
Police Regional Director BGen. Arnold Thomas Ibay said that stress debriefing will be given to the policemen involved, and that the investigation is still ongoing to establish the full context of the incident.
The Ilog Police has also coordinated with other units to help trace the suspect’s background, and is expected to release more information once the verification is complete.*