Police eye four angles in Lapu-Lapu ambush

CEBU, Philippines - At least four angles are being pursued by the Lapu-Lapu City police office into the killing of an alleged drug pusher who was gunned down along Mantawi St., Barangay Poblacion, Lapu-Lapu City, last Wednesday night.

Lapu-Lapu City police chief Senior Supt. Mariano Natuel Jr. said the killing of Sigfredo Abas, who was arrested last Tuesday for illegal possession of drugs in barangay Gun-ob, might have something to do with his alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

Four men on board two motorcycles fired at Abas, who was killed on the spot along with his companions Diosdado Ardiente Sr. and Rey Niño Donaire.

Ardiente, 27, works as laborer in a public market in San Vicente, Barangay Gun-ob while Donaire, 26, jobless is also a resident of barangay Gun-ob.

The ambush also injured Alejandro Lovindina, while Abas’s driver, identified as Rene Martorillas, 45, of sitio Tugas, barangay Gun-ob, remains missing.

The police recovered .45 cal. shells and slugs at the crime scene.

The second angle being looked into by police is vigilante killing as Natuel said that Abas, a resident of Barangay Pasil, Cebu City, allegedly deals drugs in Gun-ob where he temporarily resides.

The police are also looking into two angles involving a personal vendetta against Abas as the victim allegedly had a fight with a neighbor recently.

Abas and Donaire were arrested for illegal drugs last Tuesday and were released after posting bail on Wednesday. They were ambushed around 8 p.m. while they were on their way to the Birhen sa Regla Church in a Kia compact car. — /BRP (THE FREEMAN)