TACLOBAN CITY — A late-night drinking session inside a mini bar in Lawaan, Eastern Samar turned deadly after a heated confrontation allegedly escalated into a shooting that left two people dead and two others wounded, police said Friday, July 10.
The shooting occurred at around 11:50 p.m. Thursday at MJM Mini Bar in Barangay South Calbang, Barangay 08, Lawaan.
Police identified one of the fatalities only by his alias “Totoy,” 41, a married resident of GK Village, Barangay 08, Lawaan. The second fatality has yet to be identified.
The injured victims, identified only by their aliases “Roel” and “Jojo,” both residents of Lawaan, were rushed to a hospital for treatment.
Authorities identified the suspect only by the alias “Ongkal,” a construction worker and resident of Lawaan, who remains at large.
Initial police investigation showed that the victims were drinking inside the establishment when the suspect arrived. One of the victims allegedly approached him, and their conversation escalated into a heated argument that turned into a physical altercation.
Police said the suspect left the bar after one of the victims allegedly threw a beer bottle at him outside the establishment.
He reportedly returned a short time later armed with a still undetermined caliber firearm and allegedly opened fire on the group before fleeing the scene.
Responding officers from the Lawaan Municipal Police Station found two of the victims critically wounded. All four were taken to the Albino M. Duran Memorial Hospital in Balangiga, Eastern Samar, where two were declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Crime scene investigators recovered spent cartridge cases, fired bullets and live ammunition from the scene, which are now undergoing forensic examination.
Police have launched a manhunt for the suspect and ordered dragnet operations and checkpoints in neighboring municipalities to prevent his escape.
Investigators have yet to establish the exact motive behind the shooting, although the initial probe indicates the attack stemmed from an altercation inside the bar.
LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA
