1 dead, 2 others hurt in shootings

CEBU, Philippines - A member of a certain gang called Crips was shot dead while another gang member was injured after they were shot last Saturday night. A construction worker is also in critical condition after he was shot yesterday morning in sitio Plaza Housing, barangay Busay.

Ariel Amante Cabalda, 19, succumbed to a gunshot wound to the head after being shot by an assailant past 10 p.m. in sitio Sandayong, barangay Guadalupe.

A witness told investigators that she and the victim, a resident of sitio Kalubihan Banawa of the said barangay, were walking along the road when an unidentified man came up from behind them and suddenly shot the victim.

Even as the victim lay on the ground the assailant still fired at him a second time, although he missed.

The assailant allegedly ran immediately towards a motorcycle parked along the road and sped off while the victim was rushed to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center but failed to make it alive.

The police are still trying to determine if the motive behind the incident is gang-related.

A short while later, Jerry Eleccion, 24, a member of a certain fraternity called the Bethans, was allegedly shot by his neighbor, Nido Lausa, in sitio Kanipaan, barangay Basak-Pardo.

The victim told the police that he was on his way home in the said place when the suspect waylaid and suddenly shot him.

The victim, who was hit in the arm, immediately ran towards the barangay hall to hide. The barangay tanods then took him to the Cebu City Medical Center and also chased the alleged assailant.

The victim said that he and the suspect had a heated argument on personal matters prior to the incident.

Meanwhile, Ryan Rallos, 24, a construction worker in barangay Lahug was allegedly shot by a certain Jaime Miñoza, 46, a dispatcher, and a resident of PC Hills, barangay Lahug.

Sheena Marie Galope, the live-in partner of Rallos, told police that she and the victim were with their two children inside a rented room in the place when they heard Miñoza knock on the door and call the victim.

When the victim told Miñoza to come in, the suspect opened the door and suddenly shot the victim several times before fleeing.

Galope immediately went to the Busay barangay hall and asked help. The victim, who was hit in the different parts of his body, was rushed to the Perpetual Succour Hospital and was later transferred to the Cebu City Medical Center and underwent surgery.

Police recovered two deformed slugs of an unknown caliber from the crime scene.

Galope further alleged that the victim went to Mabolo Police Station last November 17 and reported that he was mauled by the suspect. – Niña G. Sumacot/BRP (THE FREEMAN)