CEBU CITY, Philippines — An argument over payment of medical expenses led to the shooting which killed a 39-year-old man in Barangay Conalum, Argao, a southern Cebu town 68 km from Cebu City on Sunday, April 7.
Police Major Rolan Aliser, Argao Police Station chief, said in a phone interview with CDN Digital on Sunday, April 7, that they were looking for Jelmar Alconera, 34, who was identified as the one who shot and killed Arnel Sanchez, 39, who was then refereeing a basketball game at past 1 a.m. in Barangay Conalum.
Aliser said that personal grudge was the most likely motive of the killing.
According to investigation, Aliser said, that Sanchez was refereeing a basketball game in the barangay when Alconera, who was on a motorcycle arrived.
Alconera then pulled out a revolver and shot Sanchez on the legs, causing Sanchez to fall off a ravine.
Alconera fled after the shooting while Sanchez was rushed to the hospital but he did not reach the hospital alive.
Aliser said that prior to the shooting, Alconera and Sanchez had an argument when the former confronted the latter over payment of the medical expenses of Alconera’s son.
Aliser said that Sanchez had figured in a road accident where he bumped Alconera’s son with his vehicle, causing the son to be hospitalilzed.
“Nakabangga si Sanchez sa una sa anak ni Alconera. Unya naay mga bayronon nga tambal,” said Aliser.
(Sanchez bumped Alconera’s son in a recent road accident. The son landed in the hospital and there are medical expenses that had to be paid.)
Witnesses told the police chief that after the argument between the two, a fuming Alconera went home while Sanchez later went to referee a basketball game near the area.
A few hours later, Alconera was seen in a motorcycle near the basketball game in the area, and when he found Sanchez, he allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Sanchez.
Alconera’s motorcyle was later found abandoned in a mountainous area in Barangay Alambijud, Argao.
Alconera’s relatives are coordinating with the police in their manhunt operation to arrest the suspect.
Aliser also said that murder charges would be filed against the suspect./dbs