A Sunday cockfight activity in sleepy San Isidro town was marred with a burst of gunfire killing one aficionado and wounding two others. It was the third time in this landlocked town since the May 13 elections that a local resident was killed in another flare up violence. Last Sunday’s violence sent cockpit goers scampering in different directions as two gunmen shot it out with a local policeman resulting in the wounding of one of the assailants. The incident claimed the life of one Leremie Tubongbanua, 48, widower, and a resident of Poblacion, San Isidro town. He died on the spot. In a check yesterday with San Isidro Mayor Jacinto Naraga, he admitted knowing the victim, since he was his former bodyguard. Mayor Naraga is not discounting the possibility of politics as behind the slaying. The mayor said the victim was an active campaigner in his reelection bid as chief executive of the town.

The mayor also theorized that the killing of his former bodyguard may be connected to the murder of retired police major Victor Mahumot shortly after the May 13 elections. The killing of the ex-cop remained unsolved to this day. The late police major used to be a supporter of the incumbent mayor until he shifted allegiance to his political opponent. In the ensuing gun battle last Sunday, another cockfight enthusiast identified as Jumelito Baluma y Restificador, 42, married and resident of of barangay Abehilan of the same town, was hit by a stray bullet in the neck while standing inside the cockpit. Another bystander, identified as Jaime Gumanid y Hibaya, 48, married and a resident if barangay Poblacion, this town, was hit on his left arm as he tried to help the fallen victim. As the gun man tried to retreat from the crime scene after shooting the victim, a policeman identified as PO3 Michael Naraga who was at the cockpit that time engaged the suspect in a running gun battle. The gun man shot the policeman several times but missed the lawman who was able to return fire. The exchange of fire between the cop and the back up gun man resulted in the wounding of the later hitting him in the abdomen.

In the aftermath of the shootout, the wounded victims were rushed to the Ramiro Community Hospital in Tagbilaran City. In a medical report made by Dr. Ma Alodiza Rebosura, municipal health officer, the lone fatality died as a result of intra cerebral hemorrhage secondary to gunshot wounds. According to police investigators, the suspects fled in the direction of Tubigon town after the killing of the victim. Asked if it was the handiwork of hired guns, Mayor Naraga said there was no question that it was a “hit job”. Wearing no face cover, the mayor said nobody in San Isidro identified them as residents of the town.