San Fernando mayor’s brother shot by couple at cockfight derby

CEBU CITY — The 74-year-old brother of Mayor Abe Canoy of San Fernando town in southern Cebu was shot and wounded by a couple who attended a cockfight derby about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.

PO1 Erwin Oyao, San Fernando police station, said either personal grudge or politics was being looked into as motive in the killing of Rey Canoy.

The police were also hunting down the two suspects – Peter Baranguian and his wife, Malou.

Canoy and the couple were at the cockpit derby which was part of the festivity of annual feast of Barangay Ilaya in San Fernando town, about 41.3 km south of this city.

The witnesses said that during the derby, Peter suddenly shouted: “Kamong taga-San Fernando pamahawa mo! Naay tao dinhi nga usa ka maldito (You from San Fernando, get out. There is a bad man here).”

Peter then shot the victim several times.

But Oyao said other witnesses told them that after Peter shot Canoy, his wife Malou took the gun and fired at the victim.

After the shooting, both fled on board their green Mitsubishi Strada pick-up.

Oyao said policemen were earlier roving the area because the village was celebrating its annual fiesta celebration.

“They just waited for the policemen to leave,” he said.

Seven empty shells of a .45 caliber pistol were recovered from the crime scene.

Police said the couple reportedly fled to Negros Island.

Police also checked the couple’s house in Barangay Panadtaran but no one was around when they went there.