SEPTEMBER 18, 1969: ACTOR EDDIE FERNANDEZ SHOT; 1 KILLED

The Accused (1967)- Stars Eddie Fernandez, Daisy Romualdez, Rico Roman, Ponga, Rebecca Rocha, Boy Chico and Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia/ Directed by Artemio Marquez

In 1969, Eddie "Lagalag" Fernandez fatally shot and killed a Bulacan businessman. He was found guilty and imprisoned for more than ten years together with fellow actor, Berting Labra. Here's that detailed news account on that tragic and unfortunate incident --- from the pages of The Manila Times.

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Actor Shot, 1 killed /
Eddie Fernandez, 2 others wounded in off-screen shooting

By Cecilio T. Arilo and Manuel Coles

A young businessman was killed and two were seriously wounded, including a prominent movie actor, in a gunfight on A. Bonifacio st., Quezon City at 7 last night. Killed was Renato Pangilinan, 28, single, of 1477 Recto ave., Sta. Cruz, Manila. He was hit in the left chest and died on arrival at the Chinese General Hospital. Wounded were Eddie Fernandez, 30 and Apolinario Lopez, 36, driver of Pangilinan, of 1518 Narra st., Tondo, Manila. Fernandez, a well-known action star, was hit twice in the body. One bullet hit him in the upper left chest and in the left hip. He was first taken to the National Orthopedic hospital in Quezon City. Later he was transferred to the V. Luna General Hospital. Lopez was taken to the Chinese General Hospital with two gunshot wounds in the upper chest. He was placed under observation.

Initial police investigation disclosed that shortly before the shooting, Fernandez with four companions allegedly confronted Pangilinan and his three companions saying that the latter’s guns had no license. Pangilinan’s group which include Lopez, Hilario Sigua, 31, and Violeta Orbita, 17, better known for her screen name as Rosanna Ortiz, countered that their guns were licensed and that they would be willing to go to the police precinct to have their guns verified by the police. Fernandez’ group which included Berting Labra, Tony Baguio, “Teniente” Barcelona and an unidentified man, went to Quezon City precinct 1 to see whether the guns of Pangilinan, Lopez and Sigua were licensed. The guns--- a 9 mm Browning auto pistol, .45 caliber pistol revolver --- were verified to be covered with licenses and permits by the police.

Pangilinan and his group who were riding in a Mercury-Cougar car were allowed by the police to leave with their guns. They took A. Bonifacio on their way to Manila. While they were on their way, Sigua said they noticed that they were being followed by two jeeps --- red and blue --- where Fernandez and his group were riding. Sigua said Pangilinan told the driver to speed up so as not to be overtaken by the Fernandez group. On reaching the Manila-Quezon City boundary beside the La Loma cemetery, however, there was a traffic jam. They were forced to stop. With the traffic at a stand-still, they noticed that Fernandez and his men had already surrounded them with drawn guns and ordered not to draw their weapons or they would be killed. Fernandez, according to Sigua, was armed with a pistolized carbine and his companions with pistols. Miss Ortiz shouted, pleading that their lives be spared. Without ado, Fernandez and his group allegedly opened fire at Pangilinan and his companions. After the burst of gunfire, Pangilinan and Lopez shouted that they were hit. At this juncture, Fernandez and his group got in their jeeps and fled towards Quezon City. Sigua said they rushed the victims to the nearby Chinese General hospital.

Fernandez’ condition was described as fair by Dr. B.A. Manlapig of the National Orthopedic hospital. On advice of his lawyer, Martin D. Pantaleon, Fernandez would not give his version to the reporter.

The Manila Times/ September 18, 1969

Actress talks:
Rosanna Ortiz describes how Pangilinan was killed
By Max Buan

“I saw it happen. And I think it was a treacherous way of killing Renato Pangilinan. “ Thus did movie actress Rosanna Ortiz, the supposed missing witness in the gunslaying of the young businessman in Quezon City last Wednesday, unburden herself in a press conference yesterday. Miss Ortiz was a picture of bitterness as she talked--- the first time she came out publicly since the incident, to shed light on the killing. Dressed in a fetching black and white dress, the long-limbed, long-haired 17-year-old beauty was presented by her father, Larry Orbeta, to the press. “First of all’” she said, “I was not in hiding nor I missing. I was so confused after the incident I did not know what to do. Then came the threats. Several unknown callers threatened to do me harm if I talked. Father convinced me not to be afraid and to tell the truth.”

Miss Ortiz recounted before newsmen the circumstances that led to the killing of Pangilinan, whom she described as a long-time friend. She said she had known Pangilinan, a vice president of Bhesco, a construction firm. Of Eddie Fernandez, she got acquainted only recently “when he began making with me Ako ang Sasagupa, which is still uncompleted.” “I still can’t understand why Fernandez and his companions shot Pangilinan,” the actress said. “Earlier in the afternoon that fateful Wednesday, when I introduced them, they seemed to be cordial yet. “That’s why when I saw Eddie Fernandez beside Pangilinan’s car later on, pointing a carbine at us, I was surprised. Then he shouted: “Huwag kayong kikilos at papatayin ko kayong lahat!” (Don’t move or I’ll kill you all) Then he began firing,” the actress said. “My companions in the car (Pangilinan, Hilario, Sigua and driver, Apolinario Lopez) never had a chance. The firing was so sudden I don’t believe they were able to fire back. During the firing, Pangilinan suddenly slumped on my lap. He had been hit. Then the next thing I knew, the driver, who also had been hit drove the car toward the Chinese General Hospital nearby.” The NBI said yesterday that an examination of Pangilinan’s hands during the autopsy showed them negative for powder burns. This would indicate, the NBI said, that he never fired his gun, a 9mm Browning pistol.

Miss Ortiz said that early in the afternoon, while they were on location shooting of the film, Ako ang Sasagupa in Biak-na-Bato in Quezon City, Pangilinan called her by telephone and told her he wanted to visit her on the set. He came and Miss Ortiz introduced him to Fernandez. Fernandez, who allegedly had been drinking that afternoon with his cronies, including actor Berting Labra, greeted Pangilinan casually. Miss Ortiz said the next thing she knew Pangilinan and his two companions were being taken to the police Precinct 1 for verification of their guns. She said that along with Fernandez and the film director, they followed Pangilinan to the precinct. At the police precinct, Pangilinan, according to Miss Ortiz, learned that Fernandez was the person who had called the police. When everything had been straightened out (the guns of Pagilinan’s men were found to be in order, Miss Ortiz added, she joined Fernandez in his jeep with the intention of returning to the film set in Biak-na-Bato. But Fernandez allegedly stepped down from the jeep and ordered the driver to get his long firearm (presumably the carbine). “This scared me. I even asked a policeman why Fernandez needed his long firearm.” The actress said. She decided then to ask Pangilinan to drive her back to Biak-na-Bato. It was when Pangilinan's car was held up by traffic on A. Bonifacio st. that Fernandez and his companions allegedly surrounded the vehicle and shot its occupants.

The Manila Times/ September 21, 1969