Seaman said to have knowledge of shooting shot dead

CEBU, Philippines - A seaman died while his companion was injured when they were shot by three men believed to be members of Akrho fraternity on Saturday morning in Sitio Suba, Barangay Poblacion, Liloan.

Police said the victim, Randy Pilapil, 31, succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds on his head and different parts of his body.

His companion, Ariane Calo, 22, sustained a gunshot wound on his left arm and was rushed to the Eversley Sanitarium Hospital in Barangay Jagobiao, Mandaue City.

He was transferred later to an undisclosed hospital in Cebu City.

PO2 Routchil Jugalbot said both victims were on board a Yamaha motorcycle driven by Calo when they were shot by the suspects.

Jugalbot said that suspects were tailing them on board a skeleton motorcycle. It was reportedly the man riding in pillion who shot Pilapil.

Suspects then left heading south.

Witnesses said the suspects wore black shirts and had covered their faces.

Subsequent investigation revealed Calo to be a member of Tau Gamma. Pilapil, a seafarer, arrived last month. He is not a member of any group.

“Kining seaman naapil lang kay ang puntirya gyud ani si Calo man gani lang dili siya ang napagan,” Jugalbot said.

Jugalbot said an informant told them that Calo was the target of the suspects because he reportedly knew who shot to death a certain Jade Lirazan, 20, a member of Akrho.

Last Thursday, Lirazan was sitting at a nipa hut when three men who were alleged members of Tau Gamma on board a motorcycle arrived and shot him three times.

He was declared dead on arrival at the Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

“Sa among nahibaw-an nahadlok ang nakapusil ni Lirazan nga musumbong si Calo maong kinahanglan kuhaon siya,” Jugalbot said.

Jugalbot said that they received a phone call on the same day informing them those Tau Gamma members will hit around 12:00 midnight until 5:00a.m.

The police further said that a cousin of Calo who was also a Tau Gamma killed an Akrho member two years ago. Just recently his cousin was killed when Akrho revenge their colleague’s death.

Police have closely monitored crowded areas during yesterdays Sinulog Grand Parade to prevent possible fraternity wars. — (FREEMAN)