Couple shot dead at home in Naga

CEBU, Philippines - A couple was shot dead inside their house in Sitio Boyo, Barangay South Poblacion, Naga City, by an unidentified assailant early morning yesterday.

The victims were found dead by their four children, who were awakened by the sound of gunfire.

Police said Junie Alvero, 30, a native of Barangay Lutac of the same city, was found lying lifeless near a table outside their bedroom. He had a gunshot wound to the right side of the head.

His wife, Marjilly Alvero, 28, from Antique, Panay Island, was found near the stairs with a gunshot wound to the right eye.

The couple worked as herbal doctors and had been selling herbal medicine for years.

The Naga City police only have two boys of the couple as witnesses. PO3 Francisco Codiñera said one of them saw the assailant who allegedly did not take off his motorcycle helmet when he entered their house around 4 a.m.

The assailant was described as 5'3" to 5'4" tall, with medium build, and was driving a red motorcycle without a plate number.

Codiñera said it was Junie who opened the door when the assailant arrived. Police there may have been an argument before the assailant pulled out a gun and shot Junie.

When Marjilly heard the gunfire she went upstairs from the basement of their house but was shot dead before she could shout for help.

"Abi nako ug magpatambal, mamusil man diay," Codiñera quoted the boy as saying.

It was the sister of Junie who went to the police station and sought help.

Codiñera said couple's neighbors heard four shots fired but police only found one gunshot on each victim. The bodies are now at the St. Peter Funeral Homes in Barangay Polacion, Carcar City for autopsy.

Several possible motives are now being investigated by the police.

One was a fight that allegedly led Junie to hack one of their neighbors, however, police have yet to ascertain when the incident really happened and if it was eventually settled. Another angle involves their business as herbal doctors.

The couple's four children --aged nine, seven, five and two-- are now under the care of their grandmother. They are also being monitored by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The Naga City police will be questioning all of the couple's recent customers today.

Meanwhile, a man was mauled and shot dead by a group of youths in Barangay Carreta, Cebu City, past midnight the other night.

Police identified the fatality as Artemio Casipong, 34, a resident of Supangdaku, Mandaue City.

Only one of the assailants, a certain "Bernard", was identified. The other unidentified assailants are allegedly residents of Sitio Mahayahay of the same barangay.

According to police investigators, the victim was drinking with his friends beside the road when the assailants arrived and suddenly mauled the victim.

The victim's friends jumped in to help and chaos ensued. In the middle of the melee, one of the assailants pulled out a gun and shot the victim in the back.

The victim's friends rushed him to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center but he died before reaching the hospital. The assailants were able to escape. — (FREEMAN)