Rei Eleazar, 34, the live-in partner for 15 years of Mark Vincent Garalde, 36, who was allegedly gunned down during a road rage incident by Army reservist Vhon Tanto in Quiapo, Manila Monday, feels like a wall crashed down on her.
“Nabalian ako ng haligi,” said Rei, who admitted that she cannot stand to watch the incident on TV. “May nagsasabi lang sa akin kung ano na ang nangyayari,” she said.
Rei said that she was numb when she heard what happened to Mark. “Wala akong naramdaman na galit. Numb in a sense na wala akong naramadaman na gusto kong gumanti.”
She is awaiting the time when she comes face to face with the suspect and will only ask three questions. “Anong nangyari?, Bakit mo siya binaril?, Anong nasa isip mo?”
She said that Mark, a gaming assistant, was on his way to work when the incident happened and only found out that Mark was killed a few hours after.
Rei said one of Mark’s colleagues texted her that he has not yet arrived at the office. “Nag-message sa akin yung kasamahan niya, na wala pa siya,” Rei said.
She decided to call Mark after one-a-and-half hours, thinking that he has arrived and safe.
But Mark was not on the other end of the line. It was the police informing her that Mark was killed and his body has been taken to the St. Rich Funeral Homes in Quezon City. (Analou de Vera)