• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
A gun attack occurred at Barangay Dancalan Public Plaza in the Town of Ilog yesterday morning, resulting in the death of a school chairman.
The victim was identified as Philip George Vail Sr., chairman of the board of Dancalan Private Academy Incorporated and a resident of the Barangay.
According to a witness who was having a conversation with the victim minutes before the incident, the gunman, riding his motorcycle, approached the victim and fired directly at his chest using a .45 caliber pistol, but misfired on his first attempt.
The victim had a chance to run away from the suspect, but the suspect allegedly chased after him, and a gunfight occurred between them as the victim also pulled out his own firearm.
Vail suffered several wounds from the multiple gunshots to his head and body, resulting in his immediate death.
Based on the initial investigation by the Ilog Municipal Police Station, the police stationed near the crime scene heard the multiple gunshots, and its personnel responded to the incident.
Responding police saw the suspect, identified as Vannie Galagate Ofquieria, trying to escape using his getaway motorcycle, but he started shooting at the police who retaliated, which resulted in the death of the suspect.
Police Major Randy Babor disclosed that aside from the victim and suspect, a civilian was hit by a bullet in his buttocks during the crossfire.
The victim of the crossfire was identified as Stephen Tuanes Jurilla, a 36-year-old tricycle driver from the area. He is now in stable condition at a hospital in Kabankalan City.
The police recovered the .45-caliber firearm used by the suspect, and a .22-caliber revolver from the possession of the victim.
The Ilog MPS is looking at the possibility that the suspect was a gun for hire, as their records showed that the suspect was also involved in another shooting incident in Barangay Pinggot.*
