By CYRUS M. GARDE
BACOLOD City — Pontevedra town officials were hoping for an amicable settlement between two families whose members figured in a bloody shootout in 2011.
One member of the Garita family and another of the Villastin family died in the shootout in Barangay Miranda. The incident followed an alleged misunderstanding.
Mayor Jose Maria Alonso and Sangguniang Bayan member Jimmy Gavan hope the families could settle their differences.
La Carlota City Regional Trial Court Branch 63 Judge Pepito Sellado last week issued arrest warrants for murder for shootout suspects Miranda barangay captain Aurelio Garita and chief barangay tanod Recarido “Cadoy” Villastin.
Sensing his imminent arrest, Garita — also Pontevedra’s Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) president — filed a leave of absence on Aug. 4. He surrendered to the police on Aug. 6.
Garita was detained in Pontevedra police station, while Villastin was locked up in La Carlota police station.
No bail had been recommended for their temporary liberty.
The victims were the suspects’ respective brothers. Police did not disclose their identities.
Eddie Garcia, the No. 1 Miranda village councilman, replaced Garita as barangay captain.
The one who replaced Garita as ABC president was not immediately known as of press time.
“Both families should arrive at a settlement so as not to add burden in their lives,” Gavan said./PN
