Drinking session between friends ends in death after altercation over mobile phone

• A 40-year-old man was fatally shot four times by his drinking buddy following a dispute over a mobile phone in Santa Barbara, Iloilo
• Police recovered an unlicensed .45-caliber pistol and five shell casings at the crime scene in Barangay Camambogan
• The suspect, alias “Jet,” claimed that intoxication led to the shooting and has since apologized to the victim's grieving father
• The suspect is currently detained and faces charges of murder and illegal possession of a firearm as the family seeks full justice

A night of drinking between friends turned fatal in Santa Barbara, Iloilo, after a heated argument over a mobile phone ended in a shooting.

The incident, which took place on the evening of January 31, 2026, resulted in the death of a 40-year-old man at the hands of his own neighbor.

The victim, identified by the alias “Lemuel,” was declared dead on arrival at a local hospital after sustaining four gunshot wounds to his upper body.

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According to the Santa Barbara Municipal Police, the tragedy unfolded on the Service Road in Barangay Camambogan.

The investigation revealed that the suspect, a 39-year-old man known as “Jet,” had invited Lemuel to his home for a drinking session earlier that morning.

As the day progressed, the two moved their gathering to a local bar. However, the atmosphere soured upon their return.

Police Lieutenant Christopher Juarez, deputy chief of the Santa Barbara Municipal Police Station, stated that an altercation erupted regarding a mobile phone belonging to the suspect that was reportedly in the victim's possession.

The violence was captured on nearby surveillance cameras, providing crucial evidence for investigators.

Following the shooting, authorities quickly apprehended "Jet" and recovered an unlicensed .45-caliber pistol along with five spent shell casings at the scene.

The firearm has since been turned over for ballistic testing to determine its history and ownership.

While the suspect refused an official media interview, he reportedly admitted to police that extreme intoxication influenced his actions.

In a somber moment at the police station, the suspect faced the victim's father and offered an apology.

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Despite this, the grieving family has expressed their firm intent to pursue all legal avenues.

"He is gone. If he had survived, perhaps I could find it in me to forgive," the victim's father, Joe, shared in an emotional statement.

The suspect remains in custody at the Santa Barbara Municipal Police Station. He is set to face formal charges of murder and illegal possession of a firearm.

This incident serves as a grim reminder of how minor disputes, when fueled by alcohol and access to illegal weapons, can escalate into irreversible tragedy.

In other news, a young technician from Jabonga is in police custody after a 17-year-old client discovered her confidential videos were being shared on the internet. Using a specialized digital search warrant, RACU-13 agents successfully extracted the minor's sensitive data from the technician's private hardware. The 22-year-old suspect is being prosecuted under RA 11930, a strict law designed to combat the online s3xual exploitation of children (OSAEC). Cybercrime experts recommend that users always enable "Maintenance Mode" or perform a full data wipe before handing devices over for professional repair.

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Still in other news, the multi-day search for a missing policeman concluded tragically when his body was found hidden in a makeshift grave within a Malolos lot. Authorities confirmed the deceased is Staff Sergeant Renato Casauay Jr., whose whereabouts had been unknown since he disappeared on January 24. Probing the motive, investigators found that a seemingly harmless joke reportedly triggered a violent reaction from the primary suspect, leading to the murder. Law enforcement is currently tracking the principal perpetrator along with eight other persons of interest believed to be connected to the crime.

Source: KAMI.com.gh