PNP: Suspect arrested on Nabas shooting rampage

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Police authorities arrested on Wednesday in New Washington, Aklan the alleged suspect in the Nabas shooting rampage.

Forty-nine year old Johnson Columbres, native of Barangay Unidos, Nabas, Aklan, was collared in a follow-up and hot pursuit operation by operatives of Nabas and New Washington police stations at around 2:15 p.m.

Chief Inspector Arnolito Laguerta, chief of Nabas police station, said hot pursuit operation was made following the shooting incident in a public billiard hall in Sitio Pakilawa, Barangay Unidos on Monday evening.

The town of New Washington is about 65 kms east of Barangay Unidos, Nabas, Aklan. 

The incident resulted to the death of 30-year old Rofel Berondo, also of Barangay Unidos, Nabas, Aklan, due to head injuries.

Rofel is the younger brother of Unidos barangay captain Dante Berondo, 46, who also suffered multiple bullet wounds in his chest and knee.

Four other victims identified as Victor Velasco, 42; Joel Sajise, 43; Lester Ivan Sajise, 14 and Lar Ejay Sajise, 12, also had minor injuries.

The victims were confined at Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital in Kalibo, Aklan.

Two armed suspects wearing bonnets shot them several times while they were drinking and playing inside the billiard hall at around 8:30 p.m. 

In radio reports, Columbres was tagged by barangay captain Berondo as one of the suspects in the fatal shooting incident over a land dispute.

Berondo claimed he was the target of the shooting incident. 

Laguerta said the suspect is working in a construction site in Sitio Naga in Poblacion, New Washington, Aklan when police operatives arrested him.

“May nakakila sa kanya na nandoon siya at na-informed tayo ni Chief Inspector Al Lloren Bigay ng New Washington police kaninang umaga,” said Laguerta in a phone interview this evening.

  Laguerta said the suspect was positively identified by a resident of Barangay Unidos upon his arrest.

Columbres is temporarily residing in Sitio Dumlog in Poblacion, New Washington, Aklan with his live-in partner.

“Lumipat sila sa New Washington at nagtatrabaho bilang construction worker sa isang bahay sa Sitio Naga. Nandoon siya sa loob ng construction site ng pumunta ang mga pulis,” Laguerta explained.

“Dati na siyang nakulong, isang ex-convict at naka-parole for homicide and illegal possession of firearms.”

After the arrest, Columbres was brought to Camp Pastor Martelino in Barangay New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan before acting Aklan provincial director Senior Superintendent Samuel Nacion.

The suspect is presently detained at Nabas police station pending the filing of charges against him.

Police has yet to identify the accomplice of Columbres.