Authorities are considering a love triangle or jealousy as the motive behind the killing of 31-year-old James Abdula Dengal, a resident of Sitio Bukid Bukid, Barangay Rio Tuba, Bataraza, on the night of October 12.
Two suspects are now in police custody, Jimhal Husin Mohammad, 35, who admitted to being the husband of the victim’s lover, identified as “Nass,” and Edwin Ukuh, 42, who confessed to being the gunman.
Personnel of the Bataraza Municipal Police Station (MPS) also recovered the Uzi submachine gun used in the crime, which Ukuh himself pointed out, hidden behind his house in Barangay Rio Tuba.
Dengal was with his friend Junjun Navigar Masangya, 22, at the time of the shooting. Junjun said they left their motorcycle on the road and walked toward the front of a boarding house under construction.
“Iniwan ko siya saglit, umihi ako sa bandang Acasia, ilang dipa lang ang layo [kay James], bigla na lang akong nagulat na bigla na lang bumagsak si James, pinagbabaril siya. Mga dalawang dipa lang ang layo ni James kay Edwin ng pinagbabaril siya,” pahayag ni Junjun.
After shooting James, Edwin also fired at Junjun, hitting him in the head and neck, but despite his injuries, he managed to escape.
Jimhal denied direct involvement in the shooting but admitted that his first wife, “Nass,” had an affair with the victim. He said James often hung around their store, where Nass worked.
Meanwhile, James’ wife, Jumdaya Janiaco Elig, 37, alleged that Nass made Jimhal jealous by involving her husband. She also said that Nass approached James.
“Dinala niya ang asawa ko sa lodge sa Bataraza, tapos nag-picture at video siya, tapos gumawa siya ng private account sa TikTok tapos doon niya pinost ang mga picture nila. Pero may kakilala si Jimhal na nakakita ng post niya, ipinakita kay Jimhal, tapos pinadala ni Jimhal sa akin sa messenger ko,” ayon kay Jumdaya.
Although Jimhal and James had reconciled, Jumdaya remained uneasy, especially after seeing Jimhal and Edwin talking before the shooting.
Edwin stated that James had entered Jimhal’s first wife’s home, which triggered his anger toward the victim. He admitted that they had planned the crime for two weeks, and two days before the incident, Jimhal gave him the gun he used.
On the afternoon of October 12, Edwin was allegedly given ₱1,500 for drinking, and before the shooting, Jimhal called him to use drugs.
Investigators found nine bullet casings at the crime scene. James sustained seven gunshot wounds, while Junjun was hit twice.
After the shooting, the suspects attempted to burn James’ motorcycle but ultimately left it at a firing range in Barangay Rio Tuba.
