By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

An argument between two individuals escalated after one of them pulled out a gun and illegally discharged it yesterday morning along Bonifacio Street in Barangay 2, Silay City, Negros Occidental.

Police identified the victims as 70-year-old Jesusa Oro, a resident of the said barangay; and a man identified as ‘Tata Ali,’ a 24-year-old resident of Barangay 4 in the said city.

Authorities named the suspect as 34-year-old Felipe Magbanua, a resident of Barangay Guimbalaon in the same city.

According to Senior Police Officer 3 (SPO3) Enrique Jaranilla of the Silay City police, they were conducting a routine patrol when they received a call from the station saying there was a reported shooting near their area, prompting them to respond.

Upon arrival, they found ‘Tata Ali’ who claimed he was almost shot while arguing with Magbanua.

The shot, meanwhile, hit the house of Oro, who emerged unscathed.

Cops immediately conducted a manhunt operation in the area, which resulted in Magbanua’s arrest.

The suspect yielded a .40 caliber type firearm with six live bullets. Police also recovered an empty .40 caliber shell and a deformed slug from the crime scene.

Magbanua faces charges of illegal possession and discharge of a firearm and is presently detained at the Silay City Police Station./DGB, WDJ