TACLOBAN CITY—A 31-year-old farmer was fatally shot by his companion who mistook him for a wild boar while hunting on Sunday, June 8, in Barangay San Pedro, Jaro, Leyte.
Police investigation revealed that the victim, along with a companion known as “Rene” and the suspect, identified as “Perper,” 43, was hunting wild boars in a mountainous area around 15.7 kilometers from the town proper.
In an attempt to improve their chances of finding a target, the victim separated from the group.
Shortly after, Perper noticed movement in a grassy area and, believing it was a wild boar, fired his homemade shotgun.
To his horror, he later realized he had accidentally shot his companion, “Jojo.”
The suspect immediately called for Rene to assist in bringing the victim to the barangay proper. Jojo was pronounced dead on arrival at Carigara District Hospital.
Perper voluntarily surrendered to personnel from Jaro Municipal Station.
However, authorities were unable to recover the homemade shotgun used in the incident. (Marie Tonette Marticio)