Homeless man shot dead near Cebu churches

CEBU, Philippines — A homeless man was gunned down by an unidentified assailant while sleeping on the sidewalk of Legazpi Street in Barangay Sto. Niño, Cebu City Friday night.

Sherwin Regis, 28, died on the spot.

The crime scene is just a stone’s throw away from the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu.

Police Corporal Marlito Purtogeza of Waterfront Police Station said Regis and his live-in partner were sleeping when a man onboard a motorcycle shot Regis, an ex-convict, an alleged notorious robber and a drug pusher.

Regis was convicted of robbery sometime in 2014 or 2015, said Police Major Jomar Pomarejos, Waterfront Police Station chief.

Pomarejos said Regis was a known thief preying on commuters, pedestrians and passersby on Manalili Street and M.J. Cuenco Avenue, and pier areas.

The police chief said Regis was also arrested for illegal possession of firearms in 2018. Regis was out on bail.

But Regis was arrested anew for allegedly selling illegal drugs.

Police are now looking into Regis’ involvement in illegal drugs as the possible motive for the killing.

Police are suspecting that Regis may have been gunned down by his assailant for failing to remit proceeds from the illegal drugs.

Moreover, Pomarejos said Regis and his family were displaced by fire in Barangay San Roque in December last year.

“That is why they have been living on the sidewalk,” said Pomarejos.  KQD (FREEMAN)