2 men charged in death of alleged drug lord

CEBU, Philippines - A murder case was filed yesterday in the Office of the Prosecutor against two men who allegedly shot dead their 24-year-old neighbor last Monday morning in Barangay Tejero, Cebu City.

Reggie Halichic alias “Tata” who is presently detained and his companion Bobet Vargas who is at large were tagged in the killing of Julius Mata at F. Zapanta Street in Tejero.

Mata was out of their house at that time to switch on their MCWD water connection when the suspect allegedly came from behind him and shot him.

 According to police officers who investigated the incident, Vargas went looking for Mata after he heard a rumor that Mata had a plan to kill the former’s father for accusing him of being a drug lord.

Mata was later taken to the Cebu City Medical Center and underwent surgical operation but later on died in the hospital.

Marlino Mata, the father of the victim, said that he was nearby when he heard a gunshot and ran to the scene when he was told that it was his son who was shot at.

Marlino stated in his affidavit that while he proceeded to the scene, he met Vargas who was then tucking a gun in his waist and was walking towards Villagonzalo I of the same barangay.

He said that his brother, Felix Mata, told him of how the shooting transpired and that Reggie Halichic acted as backup for Vargas. 

The elder Mata said that the previous night, his son was drinking with his friends and was heard saying that he would kill the father of Vargas for rumors being spread around of him being a drug lord. — AJ de la Torre/MEEV   (FREEMAN NEWS)