By Francis Allan L. Angelo

A MAYOR in the 4th congressional district is a suspect in the shooting to death of a rice trader in Banate, Iloilo on Christmas Day.

Banate Mayor Carlos “Intsik” Cabangal figured in a shooting incident which resulted in the death of Carmelino Bachoco of Brgy. Brgy. Talokgangan, Banate.

The incident happened past 10pm of December 25 some 200 meters away from the Banate police station.

According to reports from the Banate PNP, Bachoco and Cabangal both witnessed a Miss Gay competition at the town plaza before the incident.

Cabangal stayed in the kiosk of his cousin Edgar Omes while Bachoco and his worker Rally Beljera was at the kiosk of Nenita Basa near the police station.

At around 10pm, Bachoco set out to go home on board Beljera’s trisikad as the victim’s motorcycle conked out.

At that moment, Cabangal, who went to the town hall to check on a rumble involving several persons, and his sons Peter Paul and Jerson spotted Bachoco.

The Cabangals then chased the victim in an attempt to confront him about his “attitude” toward Peter Paul and Jerson several days before.

The mayor’s family claimed that Bachoco drew a gun as they chased him. Seconds later, gunfire erupted.

Bachoco died of multiple gunshot wounds in his body and head while Mayor Cabangal and son Jerson were wounded in there right feet.

The Cabangals are confined in an undisclosed hospital in Iloilo City.

A total of 16 empty shells of caliber .45 bullets and a caliber .45 pistol were recovered from the scene of the incident.

According to S/Insp. Herbert Ballego, Banate police chief, Bachoco has been taunting the sons of Cabangal days before the shooting incident.

Bachoco also reportedly had an axe to grind with Cabangal after the latter ordered the demolition of his store in the town’s reclamation area.

Ballego said they consider Cabangal a suspect in the incident. He said it remains unclear who fired the first shot.

“Mayor Cabangal said he is willing to undergo paraffin test,” Ballego said.

Cabangal is also facing charges for grave coercion and grave threats filed by his cousin, Engr. Noel Bagsit.

S/Supt. Renato Gumban, Iloilo provincial police director, said they have identified who shot Bachoco.

Gumban said Beljera will also issue his statement regarding the incident today.

“Beljera witnessed the incident. Let’s wait for his statement because he has his own lawyer. We might file charges against the suspects today,” Gumban added.