Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 13:01:00 06/08/2008
NAVAL, Biliran–Two security escorts of Biliran Rep. Glenn A. Chong were killed while another was seriously wounded when they were ambushed Saturday night by four armed men, one of whom was said to be a policeman on active duty at the town’s police.
The father of the congressman, Charlie, who was with the group, was unharmed in the assault done by gunmen on the street fronting the Biliran congressman’s house in this town at around 8 p.m. Saturday.
The lone congressional representative of Biliran was not around when his father and security escorts were attacked.
Representative Chong, reached through his mobile phone, claimed that one of the assailants was identified by their bodyguards as “Saul,” said to be a policeman assigned to the Naval police headquarters. According to Congressman Chong, Saul is already in custody.
The crack of rapid gunfire followed by several more shots broke the peace of the local residents, many of them still eating supper in their homes on Saturday evening.
Congressman Chong identified the two fatalities as Alberto Parilla, a former barangay (village) chairman of Rosario, Naval, who was shot in the abdomen and at the back; and Antonio Barcelo, a cousin-in-law who was hit at the back.
Both were declared dead on arrival by their attending physicians at the provincial hospital here.
Wounded was Jose Casas, a retired policeman, who got shot at the kneecap and was brought to a private hospital in Tacloban City, more than a 100 kilometers away from Naval.
The elder Chong was returning home from his business establishment accompanied by the congressman’s security escorts and had just stepped on the stairs leading to his house on P. Inocentes Street when he heard gunshots.
The shots came from a group of four assailants who were inside an old green Lancer car with plate number NMK 996.
Alberto Jusayan, 52, a Chong security escort who rode on a motorcycle in a convoy with his employer’s Isuzu Highlander, said a man quickly alighted from a waiting car and immediately fired shots at his fellow security escorts.
Upon hearing the shots, he saw Parilla fall on the pavement and called for help. But Barcelo, a retired police officer employed as close-in security escort of Congressman Chong when he is in town, said he had also been hit.
Parilla, first councilor of Barangay Santisimo Rosario here and a close Chong aide, died around 8:30 p.m., followed by Barcelo around 10:30 p.m., at the emergency room of the Biliran Provincial Hospital.
Parilla is the first cousin of former Biliran Gov. Danilo M. Parilla, who was gunned down as he was stepping out of an inter-island ship in Cebu City on Sept. 7, 2006.
Jusayan said the assailant carrying a rifle, perhaps mistaking him for a passerby, shouted at him to “Dapa! Dapa! (Drop down! Drop down!) and fired more shots at the elder Chong and his security escorts..
He confirmed that four assailants were in the ambush car. They did not cover their faces, Jusayan said, but the bodyguard did not know who they were.
Ading Caril, the driver of Chong’s Isuzu Highlander, said a car suddenly stopped near the vehicle he was driving and its passengers quickly alighted and pointed a gun at him and pulled him out of the vehicle.
The assailants used the Highlander as their getaway vehicle.
Rodel Bareja, another security escort of the younger Chong, said he managed to fire four shots at the vehicle grabbed by the assailants but was not certain whether he had shot any of the gunmen.
But a bystander several meters away from the ambush site said that he saw the vehicle rush along P. Inocentes towards the direction of the mountains. He later learned that this was the getaway vehicle.
He heard somebody inside the car that passed him by shouting “may tama ako! (I’ve been hit”) .
Charlie Chong said that he was immediately covered by Joey Ignacio, a security guard stationed at his store, when shots rang out.
He said that when he looked back, he saw a young “military-looking” man holding a rifle. He said he had identified the assailant but would not disclose his name at this time.
The congressman accused his family’s political enemies for the attack and claimed to have received a threatening text message at 4 p.m. Saturday, saying “your misery has just started.”
He also criticized the police provincial director, Senior Supt. Alfredo Sabornido, for doing nothing to solve what he said were a series of harassments staged against their family by their political enemies.
“I don’t trust the PNP anymore, especially Sabornido. I will ask for his head and make sure that he is removed from his post,” Chong said.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer called Sabornido on his mobile phone but he was not taking calls then.
Congressman Chong said his father filed last year a graft case against Biliran Gov. Rogelio Espina with the Ombudsman for allowing the construction of a hotel owned by the family of the governor on a government-owned lot.
Espina could not be reached for comment but a close ally, who declined to be identified, denied any involvement of the governor in the attack.
Congressman Chong said he would get additional security from the military.
Rolando O. Borrinaga and Joey A. Gabieta, with a report from Marlon Mecaral, contributor
(UPDATES) Two dead, one wounded in shooting incident infront of Biliran solon’s house
Our family could feel the pain and sorrow of the bereaved family of the late Mr. Antonio “toni” Barcelo.We would like to extend our deep sympathy especially to his loving wife Mrs. Seobe vda. de Barcelo
and his loving children.
God sometimes give us trials in order that we emerge strong and victorious in the end. Our pare toni has been part of our family and he will always be..He is our precious family friend.We always treasure him in our hearts.,
Ayo adlaw sa tanan…naunsa nman ang naval na dati peaceful kaayo,sumad lang sa ming abot ang mga espina diha daghan nay panghitabo,naa nay mga hold up,ambush,patayan bisag asa dapita,mura nman ug wla na ang ato safety diha,ug unsa nman lang sad ang gibuhat sa mga kapulisan diha,ngano dili man dayon nila masikop na duha ra may access pagawas diha sa biliran island ug dili sa tulay sa biliran sa dagat,naunta na ni,dili Ba dayon ka responde ng miitary nato diha ug block or check point sa mga dautan or dili lang nila mabuhat kay patung sad sila anang panghitabo diha…..nagtatanong lang po…..
Does this hotel refer to the Biliran Garden Resort? In other words, is Biliran Garden Resort constructed on a government owned property?
Is the filing of the case at the Ombudsman then one of the potential motives for this incident?
message para sa mga nagpatay: you will drink the wine of God’s anger which has been prepared, undiluted, in the cup of his fury; you will be tortured by fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and the lamb.,
DAPAT PARUSAHAN DIN YUNG MAYKAKAGAWAN NG MGA PAGPATAY…..KUNG TALU KAU TANGGAPIN NYO NA.
PARUSAHAN SILANG MAY MGA KASALANAN…..
NO WITNESS, NO CASE
KUN NAPATAY SI CHARLIE CHONG, MAWALA POD ANG KASO NGA CORRUPTION NI GOV. ROGER ESPINA BAHIN SA BILIRAN GARDEN
First I would like to offer my prayers to the families of those who were ruthlessly slain by those cowardly thugs. They need to know what comes around goes around!!! That is not a threat, but it is indeed the law of God. It is easy to rush to judgement and blame the Espina family for this, but let’s see where the facts really lead before we take action. If Espina really does have something to do with this, he must face justice. Like one poster said, Biliran belongs to the people, NOT to the political families. The peace loving, and good people of Biliran deserve better then some of the scum who currently govern the province. Remember “people power”. We citizens of this province can take back the island from the political “mafia” that pollutes our society. I may be naive, but it is time for us to elect good leaders who really want to serve the people, and not let unscrupulous politicians buy your votes just because you are desparate for money. The time has come, enough is enough! May God bless Biliran!!!
Sa mangilnging nga paghitabo diha sa Naval, lisod kaayo na ang law and order mo prevail. Dili kay pessimistic ko pero akong na realized nga ang law and order ug justice diha dili magsilbi mentras naa pa ang mga Espina sa isla. The island will be subjected with endless violence. Bisan pa ug mawala sila sa poder kay naa gihapon sila magpuyo sa Biliran, they can still wreck havoc sa mga tawo nga ning against sa ilaha ug nagpapahawa sa ila sa poder. They have the money to pay for people who would do their dirty works.
So for as long as they are still living in the island, there will be no peace. The only solution for peace is to drive them all out of the island. Kahit unsaon pa ninyo ug rationalized nga ok mopuyo sila ug naay peace? You people are dreaming! Espinas on the island means no peace and non-stop violence. Mag huwat pa ba mo tag usa-usahon mog eliminate? Did you buy yourself a gun o dili ba armalite? Maka afford ba mo pa sweldo ug bodyguards? Mao nala ba ni resulta sa atong democracy sa atong island nga everybody will be toting guns for protection. Kitang mga Bisaya dili ta talawan. Nganong nanalaw na man ta? Rise and fight! What happened is not acceptable. Ayaw mo huwat kamo sunod mabiktima. Get rid of the snakes in Biliran. So much for the law. It can’t even protect the people anymore. What can you do against an armalite?
Kong kini mahitabo ni sa akong pamilya, simbako. Knowing the political system nato diha sa Biliran, dili ko mo rely sa law to give me justice kay useless ang law. The police itself is inutil ug corrupt. It reminds me sa atong mga Filipino movies nga naay mga syndicato, mga gangs ang goons. Mao na nay style karon. If there’s ever be justice, I prefer the version of an eye for eye, a tooth for a tooth. To me, that’s justice!
both dead were very close family friends. . . i strongly condemned the assailants. i know you will not be able to sleep at nights knowing you killed two men who were just performing their job to accompany congressman chong’s father. my condolence to na shobe and no enton’s family. . .
To the NBI/ Investigators:
Please take a look at the PNP/ CIDG-Espina conspiracy angle of the crime. Dako kaayo ang kalabutan sa PNP Provincial Command / CIDG niini nga krimen.
Please don’t trust the local police. Lawgawon lang nila ang imbestigasyon. For sure, dili nila iduot ang ilang kabaro.
My deepest condolence to the families of Mano Tony & Mano Enton. My family are praying for the eternal repose of their souls.
To the people behind this brazen act . . . MAY YOUR SOULS ROT IN HELL…on second thought baka pati si satanas hindi kayo tatanggapin sa impyerno.
TO ALL PEACE LOVING BILIRANONS,
Let us all unite in condemning this cowardly act done by those who still want to cling to power even though that Biliranons have already seen their true evil intentions for Biliran. Let us all unite and prevent this ABUSIVE family to continue to abuse BILIRAN & BILIRANONS by being more vigilant and not to be afraid to come out and fight the reign of CORRUPTION & VIOLENCE that has beset our BELOVED PROVINCE. Let us continue the fight to seek justice for Mano Danny and now for Mano Enton & Mano Tony.
JUSTICE FOR 3 (Danny, Enton, Tony)!
JUSTICE FOR BILIRAN!!!!
to tulisok2 grabe man sad ka makapandaot sa police…ikaw nala kaha pag police..
naa lang ko i raise bahin sa presensya sa mga personahe diha sa nahitaboan:
kining ngalan sa ilang security guard nga si joey ignacio sa akong nahibaw an naa man ni nka assign pirme sa tindahan nganong kadtong higayona diha man na siya ug sumala sa taho siya pa daw ang nag protekta sa kang charlie chong dayon daw pagsaka sa hagdanan? unsa gayod ang esaktong kabutanga ani kuyog ba ning tawhana sa convoy o unsa ba?
ug lain pa kining ilang driver nga si ading caril unsa man hitaboa nga naagaw man sa iya ang ilang isozu highlander?unsa man gayod ang tinuod ani nga hitaboa diin diha man si charlie chong ningsakay?unsa man diay ang kabutanga ni inton parilla?
ug lain pa naa man pod natan awan nga usa ka multi-cab nga ning babag sa kalsada murag gipanag iyahan mn to ni nene chong?unsa man pod ang hitaboa nga naingon man to.
bahin ani nga storya sa panghitabo makaingon gayod ko nga daghan ang angayan pangutan on sa matag personahe,lisod gayod sabton?
lain pa nganong wala man dayon nalisang pag uli si glenda kahuman anang pnghitaboa nga klaro iya man ni kaugalingong pamilya o mga tawo ang biktima ani? nganong nakahimo p man siya pag yawyaw sa radyo pinaagi lamang sa long distance call..mao ba ni ang klase nga amo sa mga biktima?murag wala man ni niya gitagaan ug bili ning hitaboa?ambot kung nia na ba ni ron..kaduaw na ba ni mga biktima.
Boy Naval…
Unsa pag abot sa Espina?12 yrs ago na ang espina.wala crim es kaau sama karon na sunod sunod….karon lang,kinsa bay bag o naa sa puesto karon?hahaha.
siya ang walay kontrol.deli maayo na lider.
mao dapat pahawaon.
uy if cidg man to if ever,naa man sila kabangian ine ne glenda sa ako nadunggan.pro,ingon ine na kabugo mga cidg diay?sakay gubaon na sakyanan,naa pa plate number.la pa enough gasoline.la pa bonnet or mask or anything deli cla marecognize.
la sila gpatay tanan,deli pud subra ka pagkarapido ang sakyanan.
y ang big fish wala gpusil?gtutukan ra sa pusil?nakakit ana jud cya sa mga criminal.y mga criminal walay gbuhat s aiyaha?
naka analyze mo?or nagbinugo ghapon..
daghan ju dne anggulo..pero puyde pud kadramahan bah pra sikat nya deli maglisud para sunod election.kay walang kalaban laban naman cya.wala au performance jud.sigi lang yawyaw…
pro,im sure la kalabutan espina ine.deli cla bugo ug deli cla dautan na buhat ingon ine.
pagxure mo uy.gamita inyo utok…
yes..Justice for Inton,Barcelo…….
dapat jud usisahon.ngano si glenda 2010 man dayon gihisgutan sa radio?
unsa siya kung ako ang pamilya sa biktima deli ko sukot uy ngano sila pa dapat mahimong “hero”,ingon pa ne glenda para sa 2010 mawala mga espina.unya kinsa may makinabang ana deli ba siya si glenda?pareha pa atong nahitabo sa kang xgov parilla.deli ba siya ang mas nakinabang?
usisa mo!
Bayani sina Mano Tony at Mano Enton.Kung hindi sa kanila baka nakalapit ang mga killers kay Charlie. RIP to both of them.
To their families….my prayers are with you.
Firing Squad ang dapat sa mga pumatay. Let me do the firing, please.
si inton PARILLA gayod ang ilang napili nga tawo aron himoon nga sacficial lamb,kay ngano?nagtuo tingli ning mga tawhana nga makahimo gyapon ug dakong simpatiya kining tawhana kumo konektado man ning apelyedoha sa kanhing ex.gov.parilla ka maayo gayod mohimo ug scenario,dili na ta mahibulong nga drama gayod ning panghitaboa kay nasayod na gayod ta ning pamilyha nga ni sila manamatas ug mga tawo o kontra nila sa poltika…diha palng daan sa ilang mga programa sa kahinginan makilatis na nato unsang klase ning pamilyaha maayo mohimo ug storya o mobatikos sa kontra nila,sanglit dili imposible nga mkahimo pod ni sila sa susamang scenario o drama.
MAHIBULONG KO 3 N K ADLAW GIKAN SA PANGHITABO MKAHIMO PA GYUD SI GLENDA PAG LONG DISTANCE SA ILANG RADYO PROGRAM…KA WALA HUNAHUNA UG PAGDAPIG SA IYANG PAMILYA O BIKTIMA,TAN AW NKO NIYA MURAG WALA LNG SIYA KABALAKA KAY NGANO?KAY KASABOT NA SIYA DAAN SA PANGHITABO NGA TINUYO GAYOD.
To Spi1 16,
For your information, four hours before this incident happened, I received a text message from a known espina attack dog on radio (i kept most of their previous texts with me) with cellphone number 09292264561 stating “ur misery has already begun” and then a few minutes before it happened, another text at 7.42pm from the same number 09292264561 saying “tanawon nato ha ha ha” then after the incident another text from 09197619076 with this message “tagam ka,, -(:-[=-
Tan-awon nato karong martes… i’ll bare all and everything for the country to hear and see for themselves… they will decide after my privilege speech…
TO MY FELLOW FREEDOM FIGHTERS
I THANK YOU FOR STANDING BY ME IN THIS MOST TRYING TIMES. I WEPT UNABASHEDLY NOT BECAUSE I AM WEAK… BUT BECAUSE IM AT A LOSS FOR WORDS TO OFFER IN CONSOLATION FOR THE FAMILIES OF MANO TONY AND MANO INTON WHOSE LIVES WERE SACRIFICED SO OUR PEOPLE WILL ONE DAY BE ABSOLUTELY FREE FROM DOMINATION AND ABUSE BY THE ABUSIVE MASTERS WHO DOMINATED US FOR LONG.
I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. I AM DEEPLY HURTING NOW BUT IT WILL SOON FADE AWAY AND I WILL EMERGE STRONGER THAN EVER. THANK YOU FOR BEING STILL WITH ME. GOD BLESS US ALL (WA GYUY LABOT ANG MGA ESPINA)!
TO THE ESPINAS!
YOU WILL NEVER MAKE ME SURRENDER! YOU WILL NEVER BREAK MY SPIRIT! I WILL FIGHT YOU TILL THE END!
kailangan jud na ipatug-anon kanang saul na tawhana. naa ra sa iya ang key to find the mastermind to all these murders sa naval. nah mailhan jud na atong probinsya sa tobook pilipinas as number 1 sa mga murdere/crimes etc. imbis tung una haven ni na place karon ambot unsa nani… kung ngasuko sila sa mga speaking engagements sa radio dli unta nila e personal kay i think the people of biliran has the right the know what’s going on sa biliran. i was really happy na naay mga tawo na nagtabang sa mga tawo to voice/appeal what they want to say over the radio. pero kung ing-ana nmn gani, where’s the freedom of speech which we are entitled? kung ing-ana “sila” mga sour-losers sila. paundanga na “sila” sa pagserbisyo. public servant man kaha “sila”, kung patayon nila tanan tawo sa biliran matawag pa kaha “sila” ug public servant kung wa nay mga public? ahak nila oi. kanus-a mana “sila” moondang…
2bag sa # 21…. ka grabe pud nimo pang huna2 dah. maka ako ka ad2 pag ingon ug drama???? nga mo santop nga naa patyon nga tao… ka simple ra sa pang hitabo, nag libog paka pag analisar. alang sa imong kasayuran, plano 2 sa mga espina pag eliminate kay lolo charlie kay mao na ang financer ni kuya glenn. nya f sa pusil ug patay si lolo charlie. mag lisud na pag dagan si kuya glenn kay wala naman usa nga emplowensiadong nag palikod nya sama sa iyang amahan.
busa ayaw pag ingon ug drama kay masakitan ang pamilya na nakalasan ug kinabuhi sa na himong incidente.
hoy banha mo diha maau pa mag isip2x mo unsaon pag sulbad s parob diha s naval dili lay mag debate mo diha dili n makatabang..
i agree with u collusos.. mga bulok lang jud uban taeo sa biliran.. they dont know how to think..
best evidence/witness na si saul mao nga patug-anun na siya para mahibaw-an ang tinuod, dili derecho magpasumangil ug tawo. kay kung mahibaw-an ang tinuod nga mastermind sa pagpatay unya dili diay mao ang gidudahan, dako kaayo ang uwaw! Wala sad tawo nga magsugo pagpatay tapos ipakita ang nawong hasta ipagamit ang identified nga sakyanan.