1 dead, another hurt in shootings

CEBU, Philippines – A jeepney conductor was allegedly shot and killed by a car watcher past 11 p.m. the other night along Osmeña Boulevard, barangay Sta. Cruz, Cebu City.

The victim was identified only as a certain “Esmer”, a native of barangay Mantoyan, Barili town, but temporarily residing in the area.

He was allegedly shot by Jhonny Largo, 25, a car watcher who lives in Sanciangko St., Cebu City, and originally from barangay Basak, Aloguinsan town.

Jeepney driver Judito Gonzaga, 42, a native of barangay Bonbon, Aloguinsan, informed the police that he was lying inside the jeepney with license plate number GUJ-913 which was under repair when he heard a gunshot just near him.

He then saw the suspect, who was holding a handgun, hurriedly walking away while he saw the victim who was sleeping across him inside the same vehicle already with a gunshot wound to the right side of his forehead.

Gonzaga then alerted fellow jeepney driver Alejandro Nator who was also sleeping in one of the parked jeepneys nearby.

Responding personnel of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation tried to revive the victim but the latter no longer showed any vital signs.

Crime scene investigators recovered P234 in cash from the victim’s pocket before his body was taken to St. Francis Funeral Homes for autopsy.

Meanwhile, a man is now in critical condition after he was shot in the nape by an alleged ex-convict past 2 p.m. yesterday in front of the Alaska Elementary School in sitio Wang-Yang, barangay Alaska-Mambaling.

Ryan dela Cruz, 21, a resident of the area, said he was shot by his neighbor Gilbert Labitad.

According to the investigation, the victim was walking when the suspect, who was tailing him, suddenly shot him hitting his nape.

The suspect fled from the scene with the improvised shotgun, locally known as pugakhang, he used in the shooting.

The victim was rushed to Cebu City Medical Center.

PO3 Ronald Ybañez of Mambaling Police station said that the alleged assailant, who is still at large, was just recently jailed for illegal drugs and theft.

Ybañez said that according to the neighbors, the victim and the suspect had a previous altercation that led to the incident. – Niña G. Sumacot/BRP (THE FREEMAN)