Suspect in ‘peryahan’ gun attack arrested by police

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Police arrested a suspect hours after he allegedly killed the barangay tanods in a ‘peryahan’ in Camanci Norte, Numancia, Aklan. 

                                           PHOTO NUMANCIA PNP

Unarmed, the 25-year old Kevin Cangson, native of Odiongan, Romblon and temporarily staying in Camanci Norte, has been nabbed when he attempted to clear his name in Numancia municipal police station at around 3 p.m. Thursday.

Cangson showed up at the police station and was positively identified by three witnesses as the driver of get-away motorcycle, according to Senior Inspector Geo Colibao, acting chief of Numancia police station.

Colibao said the hot pursuit operation is also ongoing against the remaining suspects. 

The alleged getaway driver, however, denied his involvement in the shooting incident which resulted in the deaths of three barangay tanods. At the time of gun attack, Cangson claimed he stayed for two days in a pension inn with his family along Mabini Street in Kalibo, Aklan. 

“Pumunta kami sa police station para linisin ang pangalan ko ngunit ako ay pinusasan at inaresto ng pulis,” the suspect said. 

Cangson, a waiter in Boracay Island, is willing to undergo a paraffin test to prove his innocence. 

“Malinis ang konsensiya ko. Hindi ko gagawin ang pagbaril sa kanila. May banta sa amin kaya hindi kami umuuwi sa Camanci. Lalabas din ang katotohanan. Hindi ko kilala ang mga barangay tanods na nabaril,” he said after his arrest. 

Last July 5, the unidentified gunman, without hesitation, pulled a gun and began shooting 42-year old Walter Rembulat in close range. The killing took place at around 10:10 p.m.

Rembulat, who was on-duty inside the peryahan, was about three meters away from the gunman. He was also with his wife and two children at the time of the incident. 

“Kasama ko ang dalawang anak namin at malapit kami kay Walter ng barilin siya ng ilang beses sa peryahan,” the victim’s wife said.  

After the deadly shooting, the gunman walked casually towards another man waiting in a get-away motorcycle outside the peryahan.

Police said responding barangay tanods approached the gunman and tried to restrain him. Sensing danger, the gunman’s companion parked their motorcycle and opened fire towards the barangay tanods. 

The riding-in-tandem gunmen then fled the crime scene and sped towards the national highway. 

Rogelio Saron, 56 and Rembulat were rushed to Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital in Kalibo, Aklan where doctors pronounced them dead on arrival. Another barangay tanod identified as Jestoni Isidro, 35, also succumbed to injuries on July 6 during treatment at a hospital. 

The other barangay tanod 43-year old Danilo Villorente, Jr. suffered minor injuries and being treated at Saint Gabriel Medical Center, also in Kalibo. Two civilians were also injured during the shooting.

Authorities were able to recover at least 10 cartridges of caliber .45 pistol and four slugs. Police have launched an investigation and are still looking into the motives and the people behind the shooting incident. 

“Posible isang dahilan ng barilan ang pagsapak sa isang babae. Noong Martes ng gabi, nagresponde ang mga tanod at opisyal ng barangay dahil may gulo sa birthday party ng pamilya ng babae. Nagpablotter din dito ang babae,” Colibao added.

Cangson, who is presently detained at Numancia police lock-up cell, will face charges for murder, frustrated murder and serious physical injuries in connection with the incident.

The article was originally published by independent online blog Aklan Forum Journal. The unrestricted use in print or radio, publication and distribution of articles are allowed provided the original author and Aklan Forum Journal are credited.