A jail warden was shot dead in a road rage incident in the town of Sta. Barbara, Iloilo on Thursday morning, March 18.
Identified as Jail Inspector Andrew Larupay, the victim was gunned down by Private First Class Bjourn Kirby Sanchez Esposo, a member of the Philippine Army’s 12th Infantry Battalion stationed in Calinog.
Larupay, a resident of Barangay Caninguan, Lambunao, sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He was proclaimed dead on the spot.
The victim was assigned to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.
Colonel Gilbert Gorero, Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) director, said Larupay was driving a white Nissan Sentra while Esposo of Barangay Malitbog Ilaya, Bingawan was onboard an Elf truck.
Initial investigation by the Sta. Barbara police station indicated that the two vehicles were racing against each other from Cabatuan.
When Larupay reached Bangga Dama in Barangay Bolong Oeste at around 11 a.m., he stopped and moved out of his vehicle. He then flagged down the truck and confronted Esposo.
The two had a heated exchange before the shooting incident.
According to Esposo, Larupay assualted him and was the first to draw his gun. To protect himself, the soldier said he was left with no choice but to shoot Larupay.
He and his two companions, identified as Staff Sergeant Nilo Sorolla Jr. and Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) member Nilo Silao fled the scene onboard the truck.
Esposo was arrested during a hot pursuit operation and a caliber .45 pistol was confiscated form his possession.
Meanwhile, Sorolla and Silao surrendered themselves to the police station.
Police Major Raymund Celoso, Santa Barbara police chief, said a homicide complaint against Esposo will be filed today, March 19, before the Iloilo Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
The police will also look into possible charges that may be lodged against Sorolla and Silao.IMT
Photo from Super Radyo-Iloilo’s Facebook page
