LAKE SEBU, South Cotabato — A New Year’s Day family outing turned deadly after a Barangay Peace Action Team (BPAT) member was shot dead while two others were wounded in a midday shooting at a resort in Sitio Kamanga, Barangay Tasiman, Lake Sebu, on Thursday, January 1.
Police identified the fatality as Joel Blonto, 48, a married BPAT member and resident of Barangay Tasiman. The injured were identified as Efren, 32, a farmer from Purok 2 Proper, and Lito, 46, a farmer and resident of Sitio Kamanga. Both victims are currently recovering at the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital.
According to Lake Sebu Municipal Police Chief Lt. Col. Bernie Faldas, the incident occurred around 12:45 p.m. when a heated argument erupted between the victims and the suspect, Virgil, 30, a utility worker employed by the resort and a resident of Barangay Polonuling, Tupi. Initial investigation revealed that Virgil had been instructed by the resort owner to check and fix the water supply. The suspect allegedly accused the victims of cutting or diverting the water hose, which escalated into a confrontation.
At the height of the dispute, Virgil allegedly drew a caliber .45 pistol and fired at the victims. Blonto was hit twice in the chest and was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. Efren sustained a gunshot wound to the shoulder, while Lito was struck in the leg.
Following the shooting, the suspect voluntarily surrendered to the Lake Sebu Municipal Police Station and turned over the firearm believed to have been used in the crime. He is currently detained and faces charges of murder and two counts of frustrated murder.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident, while local officials condemned the violence and called for calm, underscoring the tragedy of a life lost and families shattered at the very start of the new year.