Father and son dead in Lambunao duel

By Florence F. Hibionada
Correspondent

Families of Antonio Lasaleta, whose body lie dead on the background, grieve while interviewed by the media. A.Chris Fernandez Photo

A father and son were killed Tuesday in Lambunao, Iloilo following an early afternoon trouble that occurred in a quiet barangay of said town.

Police identified the fatalities as 66 year-old Antonio Lasaleta and his son, 32 year-old Ramil of Barangay Pandan. Another victim, Dagol Labengca remained in hospital confinement for serious injuries brought by multiple stab wounds.

The deaths stemmed from an altercation between the younger Lasaleta and Labengca minutes after a group of youngsters were playing pool inside the Lasaletas compound.

Benny Paredes, one of the witnesses reached by The News Today (TNT) said he and seven others were approached by an angry Labengca who accused them of laughing at him. A challenge was then hurled at the group with Labengca allegedly engaging the younger Lasaleta to a duel.

“ Gusto niyo makilala kung sin-o si Dagol sa Lambunao? Kwa-a to pusil mo! (Do you want to know who Dagol is in Lambunao? Go get your gun!),” was how Paredes and another witness, Japyee Lorilla recalled the exchange.

The others in the group then rushed outside sensing trouble when seconds thereafter a single shot was heard and a commotion followed. The older Lasaleta apparrently went out to pacify his son and Labengca yet got shot on the right side of his head. He died on the spot as neighbors rushed to help the two others who were then bloodied as a result of the stabbing that ensued immediately after the older Lasaleta fell on the ground.

Responding police recovered two knives used in the incident, one a 10 ½ inch kitchen knife and the other, a 10-inch fan knife. The firearm, a homemade caliber 5.56MM break type used in the shooting was also recovered.

Maria Espiritu Reyes, Barangay Pandan secretary told TNT they have long wanted to file a petition against Labengco for refusing to register as a legitimate Barangay Pandan resident. She also said concern was raised on the pool table inside the Lasaleta residence fearing that it might cause trouble amongst the regular bystanders in the area. Fears confirmed, Reyes said now she is certain that the barangay council will move to eliminate similar past times in the barangay alongside the pending move to file a petition against the continued stay in Barangay Pandan of Labengco.

Lambunao police is headed by Chief Insp. Ignacio Losbañes with SPO3 Quirico Legaste leading Tuesday's investigation.