Ex-convict killed, cop hurt in 2 shootings

CEBU, Philippines – A 48-year-old ex-convict was found dead with gunshot wounds last Monday at around 5:30 in the morning at the public market of barangay Catolohan, Dalaguete.

In a separate incident in Bulacao, Cebu City, a policeman was injured after he was shot while responding to a shooting alarm shortly before midnight also last Monday.

In the Dalaguete shooting, Nicolas Belda of Barangay Nalhub suffered from multiple gunshot wounds in his face.

Barangay tanod Danilo Rivas was on his way to the market when he found Belda lying on the grass, bloodied.

PO3 Christoper Recuina of the Dalaguete Police Station told The FREEMAN that Belda went to the Sunday market to sell his vegetables.

On his way home, he was drinking with his friends and got drunk. "Possible nga nakatulog ni siya unya naagian dayon gipusil," Recuina said.

The police added that Rivas, who lived 200 meters away from the crime scene, heard four gunshots around 7:00 in the evening.

"Nakadungog siya og buto pero gibalewala ra niya, unya anang buntag mao nala'y nakitan niya nga naa nay patay," he added.

Recuina added that aside from the four gunshot wounds, Belda also had several burns in his face.

"Possible nga gidulitan ni siya pagpusil," he said.

The Dalaguete police are still conducting investigation to identify the assailants. Belda's body is now at the house of his brother, former barangay councilor Hermie Belda.

Meanwhile, at the front of Prince Warehouse Club in Barangay Bulacao, PO1 Richard Salcida of the Beat Patrol of Pardo Police Station was injured in the right leg when he went after two masked men who shot Diosdado Sonza, 30, a motorcycle-for-hire driver.

Sonza was waiting for passengers when the assailants arrived onboard a motorcycle and without any word, shot him on the right side of the body.

Salcida was roving near the area and heard the gunfire. He rushed to the scene but the assailants shot him while he was approaching.

Sonza and Salcida were rushed to the hospital for treatment while the assailants fled.

At the same barangay, a 17-year-old boy also cheated death when two young men whipped him with a hard object then shot him at least six times at about 5 p.m. the other day.

Mandy Cabahug's elbow was grazed and his stomach was wounded after he was shot by Raymund Alalin alias "Cabang" and a certain "Itoyz."

He was walking along the road when Itoyz approached and hit him with a wood. Cabahug's right hand was bruised when he tried to parry off the attack.

Alalin, who was armed with a gun, arrived and shot him three times. Itoyz was also armed and opened fire three times at Cabahug, who was able to escape.

The suspects were able to flee. Police say gang rivalry could be behind the attack. - Niña G. Sumacot and Ria Mae Y. Booc/JPM (FREEMAN)