Suspected robber shot dead

CEBU, Philippines - A robbery suspect was shot dead by two unidentified persons riding in tandem on a red motorcycle in Barangay Carreta last Monday evening.

The victim was identified as Mark Rosales, 23, resident of Villagonzalo II, Barangay Tejero.

The victim was sitting on the roadside together with his friend Joel Wenceslao at around 11:30 p.m. when the motorcycle-riding suspects suddenly arrived and started shooting at Rosales.

The victim was first hit at the back but managed to stand up and tried to flee. However, the unidentified assailants followed and continued shooting at him until he fell on the ground.

The attackers get on their motorcycle and speed off towards Gen. Maxilom Extension. Theft and Robbery Section chief Bonifacio Garciano said that the victim is a suspected robber.

Garciano said Rosales is in their list of suspected hold-uppers operating in the port area. The police official dismissed the “vigilantes” as the possible culprits.

He believes that one of the motives could be misunderstanding between the two parties of their illegal doings.

PO2 Lou Pagara of the Homicide Section said that the victim was charged and jailed before on charges of carnapping. The case however was dismissed because the complainant has withdrawn from the case.

Pagara added that about a month ago the victim also punched a man outside the hotel who allegedly robbed his friend. – Veronica G. Basas-Palompon and Niña G. Sumacot/FPL (THE FREEMAN)