Security agency official, thief dead in Lapu violence

CEBU, Philippines - The operations manager of a security agency and a just released notorious thief from police custody were shot dead in separate incidents in Lapu-Lapu City yesterday afternoon.

Sebastian Abne, who worked for Mustang Security Agency as operations manager, was shot in the neck and some parts of his body while arguing with a security guard at the arrival section of the Mactan Cebu International Airport yesterday afternoon.

Major Bonifacio Pusta, the chief of the Air Police Division of the MCIAA, identified the alleged gun wielder as Jessie Jumadiao, who works as a security guard for Mustang.

He is now detained at the Lapu-Lapu City police station.

The police have yet to file a case against Jumadiao.

Police said Abne and Jumadiao were seen and heard arguing at around 3:00 p.m.

Jumadiao had allegedly failed to pay his obligations to the agency for his training.

Constant reminding by Abne of Jumadiao's obligations must have annoyed the security guard. Jumadiao had a 9mm gun at that time.

Jumadiao surrendered to the police after the incident.

Meanwhile, 24-year-old Emmanuel Perota was shot at about 8:00 p.m. last Monday but was already dead when he reached the hospital.

Perota sustained gunshot wounds on his arm, head, and body.

Perota, who has been in and out of jail for theft and robbery in sitio Langub, barangay Poblacion where he resides, was just released from the Lapu-Lapu City police stockade after a complainant failed to file a case against him.

SPO3 Rex Ibanez of the Crime Against Persons Desk said that Perota was walking along the access road of Lapu-Lapu City hall fronting the Palace of Justice building when two motorcycle riding men shot him.

Police investigators recovered on the crime scene three empty shells of a .45 pistol and two deformed slugs.

Witnesses said two men on a motorcycle tailed Perota and waited for a little while before shooting him.

"Nagsunod and nag-motor gikan sa unahan, niuna sila og gamay una siya gipusil," one of the witnesses said.

According to the witnesses, the men on the motorcycle were wearing helmets, black jackets, and gloves on both hands.

SPO3 Rex Ibanez said the men on the motorcycle may have hesitated for awhile before shooting the man because they wanted to be sure it was really Perota they were shadowing.

"Paglabay nila sa naglakaw murag gitan-aw nila nga mao na ilang target, mao to gipusil dayon nila," Ibanez said.

He said witnesses saw the gunmen shoot Perota and leave him still alive but returned to pump more bullets on him. 

Lapu-Lapu City Director S/Supt. Mariano Natu-el Jr. said the case would be investigated. — THE FREEMAN