BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – A police corporal and two civilians were killed while three others were wounded in a restobar brawl between two groups in Barangay Salvacion, Murcia, Negros Occidental around 1 a.m. yesterday.
Murcia police identified the fatalities as Police Corporal Gabby Castillo, a resident of La Carlota City; Benedict Maguad of Barangay Zone V, Murcia; and Marvin Guardavilla of La Castellana town.
The wounded, meanwhile, were identified as Police Staff Sergeant Namilou Sapuan, Police Staff Sergeant Jaytie Misme, and restobar owner Fernando Diaz.
The three policemen are members of the 2nd Maneuver Force Platoon of 2nd Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company based in Barangay Dulao, Bago City.
Police Major Roel Reclamado, chief of the Murcia police station, said the policemen, who were off-duty at the time, went to the Handi Seafoods Restaurant for a drinking session.
A brawl erupted between two groups which included the suspects identified as Marjun Gallano, Junjie Gallano and Venus Grace Catbagan.
“There was a commotion outside. They went out to pacify the situation but they were attacked instead,” added Reclamado.
Initial investigation showed that Marjun had a conflict with Guardavilla, whom he stabbed first, then attacked the five other victims.
The victims were rushed to a hospital in Bacolod City where the three died while being treated.
Marjun and his companions were arrested during a hot pursuit operation. They were detained at the Murcia Municipal Police Station, facing charges of multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder./PN
