Two Overseas Filipino Workers were reportedly waylaid and shot dead by at least four persons in Purok Medayna, Brgy. Bata in Bacolod City at about 9:10 p.m. Monday.

Police reports said Farmelo Dela Torre Arevalo, 36, of Purok Mahigugma-on, Brgy. Bata, and Gleserio Garaton Yude Jr., 40, of Puentebella Subdivision, Brgy. Taculing, both of Bacolod City were rushed to the Riverside Medical Center and Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, respectively, with gunshot, hack and other wounds on their bodies.

Arevalo, an engineer, and Yude who is an architect were pronounced dead on arrival by attending physicians.

Initial reports said the two were working in Dubai and were scheduled to return there on Jan. 8.

Meanwhile, an eyewitness identified Isagani Tupal Guinson, 21, of Purok Marapara 1, Brgy. Bata, as a member of the group who shot and hacked dead Arevalo and Yude.

Autopsy results revealed that the victims succumbed to major wounds in their heads that were allegedly hit with a .38 caliber revolver, and lacerated wounds in other parts of their bodies, Case investigator SPO3 Carmelo Nermal yesterday told the DAILY STAR.

Guinson, who was also brought by the responding police officers at the Bacolod Doctors Hospital with wounds in his head, surrendered to Police Precinct 3 yesterday, Nermal said.

In an interview, Guinson denied involvement in the crime, saying he and his friend were buying cigarets in the area when the commotion took place. He said an unidentified person hit his head with a stone and he heard at least three shots, which prompted him to escape.

Guinson said his father transferred him to the Bago District Hospital after he was tagged as a suspect in the crime, but they were not admitted there, so they proceeded to the Valladolid District Hospital where he was treated.

Meanwhile, Hendrito Chavez, a trisikad driver, 41, of Purok Katilingban, Brgy. Bata, also reported to Police Precinct 3 that he was also mauled and hit with a bottle of beer by the four suspects a few minutes before they killed Arevalo and Yude.

Chavez said the four were under the influence of intoxicating liquor and carried bladed weapons and a firearm.

Guinson, who is now in the custody of Police Precinct 3, is set to undergo a paraffin test at the Bacolod Crime Laboratory today, Nermal said.

Meanwhile, the Bacolod City Mobile Group arrested a 15-year-old boy who was acting suspiciously in the Purok Medayna, Brgy. Bata. During a body search, the police recovered a kitchen knife from his possession.

Nermal said they will find out if the minor, who is now facing charges for violation of City Ordinance 358, or illegal possession of deadly weapon, is involved in the crime.*DMG

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