RTW storeowner, another man shot dead

CEBU, Philippines - An owner of an RTW store was shot and killed by an unidentified gunman yesterday morning at Osmeña Blvd., Barangay Sto. Niño, Cebu City.

Meanwhile, a 31-year-old man playing at an internet café also died after he was shot by two motorcycle-riding men in McArthur Blvd., Barangay Tinago late Friday night.

In the first incident, the victim was identified as Richard Villamor, 53, a resident of Tabuk-Kasal in Alumnos, Barangay San Nicolas, and owner of Annie-Dhongs RTW located in front of Modern Fashion.

The victim was preparing for his merchandise shortly after opening his store at around 8:30 am when an unidentified man approached him from behind and shot him several times without a word.

The suspect was seen wearing a red full-face helmet and yellow jersey.

The victim was hit on the right side of his face.

The suspect had already fled on foot when the responding policemen arrived and saw the lifeless victim slumped inside his store.

Two empty shells apparently of caliber 9 mm were recovered from the crime scene. Also recovered were his wallet with assorted documents, wristwatch, a cellular phone and P250 cash which are now in the custody of the Crime Scene Investigation.

His remains were taken to the Sure Life Funeral Services for autopsy.

PO3 Wetzel Berry of the Homicide Section said they have no idea yet as to the motive behind the incident.

The victim’s live-in-partner and his family do not know anyone who could be harboring a grudge against him, Berry said.

In the second incident, 31-year-old Marvin Pasana, a resident of Sitio Sagrada in Tinago, was playing in an open-door internet café around 11 p.m. when two men on board a motorcycle arrived and stopped behind him.

A security guard detailed at the LGC Marketing across the internet cafe said the back rider, who was wearing a bonnet, alighted from the motorcycle and shot the victim to the back of his head.

Berry said that shortly before the back rider shot the victim, the latter even told the boy playing beside the victim not to turn his head.

Paramedics of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation rushed the victim to the Cebu City Medical Center where the victim was declared dead on arrival while the suspect was seen fleeing towards the north area.

Responding policemen recovered three empty shells and a slug probably of a caliber .45 pistol from the crime scene.

Berry said the victim was a known toughie (badlungon) at their place which was believed to have been reason for the shooting.

Meanwhile, a man was injured when he and his two companions were ambushed by at least four persons in Barangay Balungag, San Fernando town last Friday night.

Injured was Renel Relos, 34. The other victims were identified as Elmer Baroy, 35, owner of a wood craft business, and Juan Laraño, of legal age, all residents of the place. Relos and Laraño are both employees of Baroy.

Investigation showed that the victims were sitting and talking outside the house of one Simeon Aton around 7 p.m. when four men started shooting at them from a distance of about 15 meters.

The victims ran for their lives but Relos was still hit on his left arm.

Responding Barangay Councilman Malou Baringuian took the injured victim to the South General Hospital where he is now recuperating.

Three empty shells of caliber .45 pistol and five other empty shells of caliber garan rifle were recovered from the crime scene.

Policemen conducted a hot pursuit operation against the assailants but failed to make any arrests. (FREEMAN)