CEBU, Philippines - After a festive night with friends, a first year college student escaped death after two separate attempts to shoot him by motorcycle-riding gunmen yesterday dawn along P. Del Rosario St., Barangay Kamagayan, Cebu City.
Joseff Kristian Reyson,18, of Private Road, Barangay Tabo-an, Cebu City and an information technology student, was hurt in the second attack against him at around 3:30 a.m. yesterday.
Reyson and four of his friends came from Dark Planet Restobar along Omeña Boulevard where they enjoyed the night.
While waiting for a ride home, an unidentified man onboard a motorcycle stopped in front of them and shot Reyson once. The assailant tried to shoot again to finish Reyson off but the gun got jammed, prompted him to escape towards Colon Street.
Seconds later, another motorcycle-riding gunman, believed to be the first one’s back up, shot the victim again and escaped. Reyson sustained gunshot wounds on the left part of his waist and on the left wrist.
He was immediately rushed by his friends and some bystanders to the Cebu City Medical Center.
Investigators recovered two shells and a deformed slug, all believed to have come from a .45 caliber gun.
Cebu City Police Office homicide investigator PO2 Ruth Violango told The FREEMAN that the group started their bar hopping early Monday afternoon.
According to her, the group visited two other bars before they had their last stop at Dark Planet.
“Gikan ni sila nag-inum. Possible nga gikasuyaan ni sila o naa na silay gi-kaaway (They came from a drinking session. It is possible that someone got annoyed at them or they got into trouble),” Violango said.
Investigators are also looking into the possibility that the victim might have been involved in fraternity-related trouble.
Meanwhile, 49-year-old Eduardo Vista of V. Rama Avenue, Barangay Calamba, Cebu City also escaped death after he was shot on Monday at around 6:30 p.m.
Vista was about to start cleaning a van-for-hire driven by a certain Fabian Pantonal which is bound for Balamban Cebu.
The unknown assailant reportedly approached the victim from behind. Vista managed to turn around to face the assailant but was shot on his neck.
Investigators theorize that the attack might have been cause by personal grudges or work related.
The gunman immediately escaped while the victim was taken to the CCMC for medical attention. — (FREEMAN)