3 shot to death in separate incidents

CEBU, Philippines - A man who allegedly killed law offenders but who, ironically, was reportedly engaged in the illegal drugs trade was shot dead by his neighbor at around 7 a.m. yesterday in Barangay Bulacao, Cebu City.

Hours before that, a teenager was also shot dead by an alleged gang member in Barangay Punta Princesa. In another incident, a woman was also killed by her neighbor in Danao City.

In Cabangcalan I, Bulacao, 25-year-old Sonny Cañeda was riding onboard a “trisikad” when a certain Jiji Batobato alias “Bongol”, a resident of Sitio Villa Bulsita, shot him in the head then fled.

Christopher Cañeda, 18, driver of the “trisikad” and brother of the victim, told the police that he was driving the “trisikad” with his brother as his passenger when the suspect allegedly waylaid them in a corner and shot the victim.

He reportedly drove fast and eventually evaded the succeeding attacks made by the suspect.

The victim died on the spot because of the gunshot wounds on his head.

Responding policemen conducted a pursuit operation against the suspect but he eluded arrest.

Police Officer 2 Cristobal Geronimo of the Cebu City Police Office-Homicide Section told reporters that among the angles they are looking into behind the victim’s death are his alleged “tripping”, or sheer thrill, in killing thieves in their place and his alleged failure to pay the suspect for the illegal drugs he previously reportedly purchased from him.

In a separate incident, 19-year-old Harley Labasano was shot to death by an unidentified person who was with some cohorts 1 a.m. yesterday in sitio Arca, Barangay Punta Princesa.

The assailants were believed to be Crips gang members in Barangay Pardo.

Investigation showed that the victim was having a chit-chat with his two minor-aged friends when an armed man appeared from a dark portion of the area and suddenly shot them repeatedly.

They all scampered for safety but the victim, who was hit in the right torso with the bullet exiting at the opposite side, was found slumped on the ground. He was pronounced dead at the Cebu City Medical Center.

Meanwhile, Liliosa Capin, 49, was reportedly shot dead by her neighbor identified as Jeremias Estores around 4 p.m. last Thursday in Sibacan, Danao City.

The victim was reportedly on her way home after attending a hearing at the office of the barangay captain regarding the complaint she filed against the suspect.

She was already near her house when the suspect reportedly blocked her way and shot her, hitting her in the shoulder, before fleeing.

The police are conducting further investigation to determine the real motive of the incident. — Niña G. Sumacot/MEEV   (FREEMAN NEWS)