Ex-con, two "balut" vendors shot

CEBU, Philippines - An ex-convict was gunned down yesterday afternoon at Benedicto corner P. Gaisano Street, Sitio Back-Blessed, Barangay Tejero, Cebu City.

The victim was identified as Kenneth Bailon, of legal age and a resident of Sitio MacArthur of the said barangay.

Cebu City Police Office homicide investigator PO2 Lue Pagara told The FREEMAN that the victim was allegedly gunned down by a brother of a tanod of the said barangay (name withheld by The FREEMAN).

Personal grudges may have caused the shooting after the suspect and the victim had a rift.

Investigation revealed that the victim was chased by the said assailant at a portion of P. Gaisano Street before he slumped bloodied on the side of the road.

Residents, who were nearby when Bailon suddenly slumped on the ground, were shocked when they saw blood oozing from his body. This prompted them to call for police assistance. 

Elements of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation responded to the scene but the victim was already dead. 

Due to the brief chase, several gunshot holes were left on a wall where Bailon passed while being chased by his gunman. Initially, around 3-4 holes were found at the crime scene.

Though the crime scene was close to an encampment where fire victims were housed, no one reportedly noticed the incident after investigators later found out that the gunman used a silencer.

The gunman reportedly used a caliber 45 based on several shells which were recovered from the crime scene.

The victim reportedly sustained a gunshot wound on his chest which resulted to his death. 

Katherine Astillero, 43, who served as the victim’s guardian after he was orphaned, said that the victim was half-German. “Gi-ampon na siya sa akong lolo kay namatay man ang iyang mama,” she said.

She also said that the victim was recently jailed for drugs and was just released on August.

“Mo-gamitay gyud to siya og drogas pero di to siya manapat – adik lang gyud,” she added.

She last saw Bailon cleaning their house minutes before the incident.

Balut vendors

Meanwhile, a man died and another is in critical condition when both “balut” vendors were shot by an alleged robber while vending fertilized duck egg, commonly known as “balut”, early morning yesterday in Sitio Immaculada, Barangay Nangka, Balamban.

The fatality was identified as Dominador Quiamco, 58, of Barangay Tapon, Toledo City. He succumbed to two gunshot wounds on his head and body.

Quiamco’s companion, Ricardo Pinili, 59, of Barangay Sangi, Toledo City sustained a gunshot wound on his lower chest. He was rushed to the Balamban District Hospital for immediate treatment and was later transferred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

Initial police investigation revealed that both victims were outside the benefit dance selling “balut” when gunfire rang out and witnesses saw victims already bleeding.

SPO1 Jose Ranilito Villarino, Balamban police assistant investigator, said that the gunman, identified as Elisio “Ityong” Maglasang, 26, a native of Barangay Bairan, Asturias and temporarily living in Sitio Immaculada, was seen dancing.

Villarino said that a few minutes later, Maglasang went outside and was seen talking to the vendors before witnesses heard three gunshots and then saw Maglasang flee on foot.

Police failed to recover any empty shell or slug in the scene and found out that the proceeds of the victims were gone.

Police suspected that Maglasang possibly asked for money and was refused by the two men. This may have triggered the shooting.

“Basin nanghingi ni unya wala hatagi kay basin sad wala pa’y halin o kaha gamay pa’g halin,” Villarino said.

Police immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation but to no avail.

According to Villarino, the younger sister of Maglasang admitted that the suspect relocated to Sitio Immaculada from Asturias due to some complaints.

“Badlungon man gyud kuno ni unya nilayas didto unya karon wala napud kay nakasala na,” police said.

The Balamban police are still conducting an investigation and planned on making Pinili an eyewitness to the case.

A criminal case is now being prepared which will be filed next week at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. (FREEMAN)