Councilman, 3 others killed

BACOLOD CITY – A barangay councilman, his two nephews, and a 5-year-old boy died in a violent incident starting Tuesday night—spanning 10 hours—in what appeared to be ‘vendetta killings’ among relatives, in Moises Padilla town of Negros Occidental.

The Moises Padilla Police identified the fatalities as Councilman Ernesto Royo, his two nephews—Kerwin Labiga Royo, and James Labiga—and 5-year-old John Michael Mirano.

It all started at Barangay 1 Poblacion when Labiga stabbed Kerwin and a certain Espirijon Royo, who were all under the influence of liquor. Kerwin died, while Espirijon survived with a stab wound on the right arm.

Police reports said that, about 10 hours later, Kerwin’s uncle Councilman Ernesto Royo and his brother Fritz Labiga Royo went to the house of Michael Mirano in the same barangay where Labiga was reportedly hiding.

The councilman and his nephew, Fritz, both armed with a gun and knife, respectively, assaulted Labiga. This however resulted in the death of Labiga and the councilman, while Fritz was injured.

The 5-year-old boy John Michael Mirano also died when he was hit by a stray bullet during the commotion.

Senior Inspector Allan Reloj, chief of the Moises Padilla Police, said James Labiga, Kerwin and brother Fritz were all relatives.