"Gangman" shoots construction workers

CEBU, Philippines – A vendor, who is allegedly a member of a gang called The Bloods fired shots against two construction workers past 3 a.m. yesterday on Gil Tudtud St., Barangay Mabolo.

The bullet pierced through the left hand of Michael Flores, 29, while his companion, Arnel Camero, 22, was unhurt. Both victims are natives of Negros Oriental and working as construction workers in the nearby project of Dakay Construction.

The victims told police that they were sitting near the building that is being constructed when the suspect, who was later identified as Randolf Bentulan, fired shots at them for unknown reasons.

Because of the wound he sustained, Flores was taken to the hospital while Bentulan has managed to flee after the incident.

Meanwhile, a man is now in critical condition after he was shot by his neighbor who got irked when the victim urinated near his house in Barangay T. Padilla last Sunday.

The victim, Robby Coyoca, 23, landed at the Cebu City Medical Center while the suspect, who was identified as Danilo Ricarte, 53, remains at large until now.

PO3 Julious Mabunay of the Homicide Section of the Cebu City Police Office said Ricarte reportedly got irked when Coyoca ignored his warning not to urinate near his house. After the victim finished urinating, the suspect allegedly followed him to a nearby billiard hall and shot him twice.

Responding elements of the Mobile Patrol Group rushed Coyoca to CCMC while a hot pursuit was immediately conducted against the fleeing suspect but yielded negative result.

In another incident, a 33-year-old man landed at the hospital after two men connived in hurting him around 11 a.m. last Sunday in Sitio San Roque, Barangay Calamba.

The victim, Jonathan Catacutan sustained hack wounds and bruises in different parts of his body while the suspects, Nestor Morales alias “Iro” of Sitio Taytayan, Barangay Sambag I and a certain “Jasper” remains at large.

The victim alleged to the police that he was sitting on the alley near his house when the suspects came on foot and suddenly Jasper punched him on the face.

When he allegedly asked about his fault, Morales sneaked from behind and hacked him with a small bolo that prompted him to run inside his house. After the incident, the suspects allegedly casually walked away. 

Police believe the victim has a previous encounter against the suspects that prompted the latter to retaliate. — Niña G. Sumacot/WAB (THE FREEMAN)