A love triangle dispute in Sta. Barbara turned deadly after a man was shot and killed by his partner’s former live-in partner in Sitio Riles, Brgy. Lanag, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.
The victim, identified as Rodito Celis Jr., 44, was in a relationship with Alyas “May-may,” a 42-year-old woman with seven children.
Celis, a resident of Brgy. Omambog, Sta. Barbara, was married with children and had a wife working abroad.
The suspect, Ronald Susvilla, 45, from Brgy. Dalid, Sta. Barbara, was the former live-in partner of “May-may” and also had a wife overseas.
According to “May-may,” she and Susvilla were in a relationship since 2019 and had a five-year-old son.
She claimed that during her pregnancy, Susvilla began showing abusive behavior, prompting her to leave him in November last year.
“May-may” said Susvilla refused to let the public know about their separation out of embarrassment.
In December, the three confronted each other, and “May-may” chose to stay with Celis, ending her relationship with Susvilla.
On the day of the crime, the suspect went to their house while Celis was resting on the bed and “May-may” was in the kitchen.
She was shocked to hear gunshots, and when she checked, she saw Susvilla shooting Celis.
Authorities recovered seven empty shells and two unfired bullets from the crime scene.
The suspect fled after the crime, while Celis was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and neck.