Three relatives of a Negrenese mediaman were massacred, while one was injured, when a gunman entered their home and fired at them as they were having lunch in Sagay City , Negros Occidental, at about 12:30 p.m. yesterday, the police said.

The alleged gunman Romeo Corbo, a driver of the Sagay City government who is in his 40s, is also facing attempted murder charges for also shooting Ferdinand "Bambi" Yngson, 48, a broadcaster relative of the three victims, four years ago, Senior Inspector Gabriel Gutierrez, Sagay police chief, said.

Killed were Yngson's aunt Elsa Gasper Javellana, 67, her husband Ranulfo Javellana, 71, and their daughter Gina Javellana Zaragoza, 48, at their house in Elija Subdivision, Sitio Albina, Barangay Poblacion 1, Sagay City, SPO3 Noel Olaera, Sagay police chief investigator, said.

The fatalities sustained multiple gunshot wounds, he said.

Also injured was Joseph Javellana, 35, son of Elsa and Ranulfo, who was shot by Corbo in the stomach but was able to escape, Olaera added.

Joseph identified the assailant as Corbo, Gutierrez said.

On July 25, 2007, Corbo also shot Yngson on the left arm, the back and chest at the Sagay public market.

Charges for attempted murder were filed against Corbo, but the trial of the case is still ongoing, Yngson said.

Corbo was formerly a Land Transportation Office deputized agent in Cadiz City . Corbo was angry with me because I had exposed extortion activities at the LTO over the radio so he tried to kill me, Yngson said.

Earlier this year, Corbo set up a videoke bar at Elija Subdivision owned by the Javellana couple. However, he was asked to leave when they realized that he was the one who shot me and because his videoke bar was making a lot of noise, Yngson said.

This must have angered Corbo, Yngson added.

Corbo armed with a .45 caliber pistol entered the Javellana house yesterday and without saying anything opened fire on them as they were eating, Yngson said.

The gunman reportedly emptied one magazine and loaded it with another, said Yngson, who was formerly employed by DYAF.

Corbo also shot at Tyra, the 7-year-old granddaughter of Javellana but missed, Yngson added.

Gutierrez also said the motive for the killing could be old grudges.

The Javellana couple had lodged a complaint against Corbo at the Sagay City Hall for operating a videoke bar in their subdivision that is a residential area, amid complaints of the noise it was causing, Gutierrez said.

As a result Corbo's business permit was reportedly cancelled, Gutierrez added.

A manhunt for Corbo is still ongoing, Olaera said.*CPG

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