Man shot dead over unpaid winnings

CEBU, Philippines – For his alleged failure to pay a cockfight bettor his winnings, a man was shot dead inside the cockpit arena of the Medellin Amusement Center Inc. in barangay Luy-a, Medellin town, around 3 p.m. last Sunday.

Frankie Cudiera, of legal age, married, resident of barangay Poblacion, sustained a gunshot wound to his left chest that caused his instantaneous death.

The suspect, Kevin Invento, alias “Kem,” 25, a resident of sitio Lakdon, barangay Dayhagon was arrested by the responding policemen.

Police initial investigation revealed that while the victim was sitting inside the cockpit arena, the suspect approached the victim and without any provocation, suddenly pulled out a .357 revolver and fired a shot to the ground.

Cudiera allegedly grabbed the firearm from the suspect and this led to a commotion. The victim allegedly managed to clasp the firearm while he was at Invento’s back but the suspect managed to hit both of the victim’s feet that made him fell on the ground. Invento then shot the victim hitting him in the left chest. Upon seeing the commotion, the people inside the cockpit arena immediately called for police assistance.

PO3 Jesus Suan, a member of Tabogon Police Station arrived shortly and arrested the suspect, who surrendered the homemade revolver that had no serial number.

Cudiera was rushed to Severo Verallo Medical Center in Bogo City but declared dead on arrival. — Christopher Gabriel Bonjoc/WAB (THE FREEMAN)