Cebu City holy week 3 shot, 2 stabbed in three days

CEBU, Philippines - At least three shootings and two stabbing incidents were reported in Cebu City since Maundy Thursday until yesterday.

Cebu City Police Office Director Melvin Buenafe said, though, that the incidents, which injured six men, are isolated incidents and did not mar the “very peaceful” Holy Week celebration.

The latest incident happened at One Citilink Terminal in Barangay Pahina Central at 8 a.m. yesterday when security guard Edison Hoyohoy, 32, accidentally fired his gun and hit Carilito Panonche, 30.

The victim works as a collector at the terminal while the guard was turning over a 12-gauge shotgun to incoming security guard on duty Clint Michael Porosuello when the gun suddenly went off.

The bullet ricocheted off the floor, the splinters hitting the different parts of the victim’s body. An empty shell of the shotgun was later recovered from the crime scene.

The victim was taken to the Cebu City Medical Center where he was treated at the out-patient department. The suspect, who is employed under GDS Detective and Security Agency and a resident of Nivel Hills, Barangay Lahug, voluntarily surrendered to PO1 Richie Guillivan who is detailed at the terminal.

The guard was later released as the victim did not manifest interest to press charges against him, stating that it was just an accident.

Meanwhile, 25-year-old Gerbi Caruana was hurt after he was shot by Renato Tabuada, 36, in Cyco Cabreros St., Barangay Basak-San Nicolas at 9:30 pm last Thursday.

The victim told the police that Tabuada confronted him regarding a lost fighting cock, which he denied any involvement in. But Tabuada suddenly punched him so he ran but Tabuada chased and shot him.

The victim was rushed by a friend to the CCMC while the suspect fled.

In another shooting incident, victims Junjun Obiedo and Eddie Canque, both 18, were shot by an unidentified man in Humabon St., Barangay Carreta at 8:30 a.m. last Thursday.

According to the police investigation, the victims were walking on their way home when they were shot. They scampered in different directions but Obiedo was hit on the right buttocks while Canque was wounded in the leg. They were taken to the CCMC.

Stabbing incidents were also reported in a videoke bar in Osmeña Boulevard, Barangay Kamagayan at past 2 a.m. yesterday and in Bayabas Extension, Barangay Mambaling at 7:30 p.m. last Thursday.

In Zenith Videoke in Kamagayan, 22-year-old Jake Morados was stabbed by an unidentified man wearing a yellow shirt and stood about 5’5” tall.

Investigation showed that the victim, a helper of the bar, was sleeping outside when he was stabbed. He saw the perpetrator running towards Pelaez St. He was taken to CCMC for the treatment.

In Mambaling, Johnny Osorno, 24, of Bliss, Labangon was also stabbed by one Arturo Sobrevilla, 30, of A. Lopez St., Labangon.

The victim was visiting a cousin and went outside to buy cigarettes when the suspect, who allegedly harbored a grudge against him, stabbed him several times.

Apart from these incidents, Buenafe said there were no major crimes reported in the city during the Holy Week celebration. — (FREEMAN)