BY: ANGELICA ARQUERO
A 66-year-old man was shot dead in Barangay Sabangan, Alaminos City, Pangasinan, on Friday, February 28, allegedly over a land dispute.
The victim, identified as Marcellano Rabina, was found lying on the road, covered in blood.
Authorities said Rabina was on his way to his farm at around 10:50 a.m. when the suspect, 69-year-old Leonardo Fontanilla, intercepted him.
According to police reports, Rabina was riding his motorcycle and following Fontanilla, who was aboard a garong, when they reached the crime scene.
The two got into an argument, which escalated into a shooting.
PCPT. Ivan Cliff Ananayo of the Alaminos City Police Station said the suspect deliberately blocked the victim’s motorcycle. “The suspect confronted the victim, pulled a gun from his bag, and shot him,” Ananayo said.
Despite being wounded, Rabina managed to run, but the suspect chased after him and continued shooting.
“The victim’s body was found around 10 to 15 meters from where his motorcycle fell. The suspect pursued him and shot him multiple times, including in the head,” Ananayo added.
Rabina sustained seven gunshot wounds to the head and other parts of his body.
He was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
Police confirmed that the motive behind the killing was a land dispute between the suspect and the victim.
Eyewitnesses identified Fontanilla as the gunman, leading to his immediate arrest.
Authorities recovered a caliber .38 revolver and several bullets from him.
The suspect is now in police custody and is facing murder charges.
This is the first reported shooting incident in the city this year.
