Two men were killed, and seven others, including a militiaman, were injured in shooting and stabbing incidents in Hacienda Maja Grande, Brgy. Robles, La Castellana on Saturday.

The fatalities were identified by the police as Reynaldo Sonio and Arnold Bardollas.

Senior Inspector Regidor Alvarado, La Castellana police chief, yesterday said the incident was triggered by a quarrel between Reynaldo Sonio, and his wife, Perlita, in the hacienda, which was then celebrating its fiesta.

The couple was pacified by Barangay Tanod Norman Castro who brought them outside the benefit dance hall. However, a heated altercation later ensued between Sonio and Castro, police investigations showed.

Alvarado said Castro claimed he was stabbed by Sonio after disarming him of his gun.

Castro further alleged that he was forced to shoot Sonio to defend himself from further attack by the suspect, police said.

A certain Walter Melgareho, a relative of Sonio's wife, armed with a bladed weapon, pursued Castro who returned to the dance hall in the hacienda. Melgareho allegedly tried to stab CAFGU Member Dindo Cainggoy who fired a warning shot. Instead, CAFGU Member Edito Rigodos was hit in the left hand, police also said.

This triggered a commotion between the militiamen and Melgareho, and gunshots were heard, Alvarado said.

When the commotion was pacified, Bardollas was found dead with a gunshot wound in the head. Also injured, aside from Castro and Rigodos, were Rey Loquin, Daisy Pacordo, Joey Tauro, Ecena Lomogdang and Walter Regorio.

The injured victims were brought to the Enrico Elumba Emergency Clinic. Alvarado said they also recovered from the crime scene a .38 caliber revolver with three ammunition, and six empty shells of .38 caliber revolver and M-14 assault rifle.

Castro is now under the custody of the La Castellana Police Station, while the incident is being investigated.

Alvarado said he will also subject Cainggoy and Castro to paraffin tests, and the revolver and M-14 rifle to cotton swabbing tests.*GPB

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