The manager of a gasoline station was stabbed dead Friday while his assailant was killed in return by the security guard on duty in Barangay Calindagan, Dumaguete City.
Police identified the fatalities as Michael Mena, manager of the Fil Oil gas station and a resident of Barangay Bagacay, and Apolonio Saringgan, 47, of Barangay Tabuctubig.
Police reports said that the Dumaguete police station received a call around 3:30 a.m. about a shooting incident at the Fil Oil gas station, where a resto-bar, Food Net, is also located.
Initial police investigation showed that Saringgan, who was allegedly under the influence of intoxicating liquor, got into an argument with a group of youngsters. He left the area, but returned later and exchanged fist blows with the group he had argued with earlier.
Witnesses told police investigators that Mena tried to pacify Saringgan who allegedly attacked him instead.
Mena reportedly fired a warning shot to warn Saringgan but he ignored it and proceeded to stab Mena, the police said.
The security guard on duty, Orlando Oliveros, 35, fired at Saringgan upon seeing Mena being assaulted, the police report added.
Mena succumbed to multiple stab wounds and Saringgan to multiple gunshot wounds.
Responding policemen recovered from the crime scene a .40 caliber pistol with one magazine loaded with live ammunition, a spent shotgun cartridge, two spent shells of caliber .40, two spend shells of caliber. 45, and a kitchen knife.* (PNA/JFP)