Noisy motorcycle leads to shooting, death in Koronadal

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines – A local village councilman shot and killed a motorist on Friday over a motorbike with an open pipe muffler that produced irritating noise.

Supt. Barney Condes, Koronadal City police director, identified the victim as Ronelo Galayogo, 31, a resident of Barangay Namnama, Koronadal City; and the suspect as Barangay Councilman Dante Manuel of Purok Magsaysay, Barangay Namnama.

Condes said Manuel surrendered after the incident that transpired at 2 a.m. Friday.

Manuel and village residents had complained of too much noise every time Galayogo went around the village on a motorbike with a “bora-bora” or open pipe muffler.

Despite repeated reminders, the Galayogo allegedly continued using the bike even during unholy hours.

On Friday before dawn, Manuel was awakened by the noise of Galayogo’s motorcycle so he took his cal. 22 pistol and fired at the rider who fell and crashed after he was hit in the back.

Namnama Barangay chair Alfredo Sotelo came to Manuel’s rescue, saying the councilman only fired warning shots and that he was not under the influence of liquor.

Manuel has been detained by the police. –Edwin O. Fernandez