TALISAYAN, Misamis Oriental — A van driver and a passenger were killed while another young passenger survived after a fellow traveler opened fire inside a passenger van early Sunday, September 7, in Barangay Mandahilag.
Police identified the fatalities as driver Ernesto Betonio and an unnamed passenger. The survivor, an 18-year-old female, was left unharmed by the assailant.
According to the investigation of PCapt. Promelia Orejas, chief of Talisayan Municipal Police Station, the van departed from Agora Terminal in Barangay Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City, bound for Gingoog City. By the time it reached Talisayan, only four passengers and the driver remained inside.
Upon reaching Purok 2, Barangay Mandahilag around 12:00 midnight, the suspect—seated beside the driver—suddenly alighted and shot Betonio at close range using a short firearm. The gunman then opened the rear door of the van and fired at the other passengers, killing one and sparing the 18-year-old.
The suspect immediately fled in an unknown direction and remains at large as of this writing. Authorities have yet to establish the motive behind the crime.
Police investigators continue their pursuit and have launched a deeper probe to identify the suspect and determine the reason for the deadly attack.