Farmer shot dead

CEBU, Philippines - A farmer died after an unidentified man opened fire at his house in the remote area of Barangay Camp VIII Minglanilla town last Thursday.

The victim was identified as Edgar Alcotin Y. Gimenez, 39 years old, married.

Initial investigation revealed that around 8 o’clock in the evening, the unknown suspects opened fire at the victim’s house several times while Gimenez was inside with his four children.

After hearing gunshots and the victim asking for help, his brother hurriedly went to the place. There, he saw the lifeless body of his brother who was still holding a “tirador (slingshot)” and a “lagaraw (machete)”.

Responding team led by PO2 Humphrey Alpas hurriedly went to the crime scene after of Barangay Captain Alberto Enad Algaba and his barangay tanod went to the Minglanilla Police Station and asked for police assistance.

PO2 Alpas said the victim was shot three times and was wounded on the right portion of his body. Responding policemen has to walk towards the mountain area for about 1 hour and 10 minutes before reaching the crime scene.

“The dead body is already odorous when we arrived. It’s very hard for us to know the suspect and to respond fast since the place is very remote. Aside from that, no neighbor was able to witness the incident since they are 100 meters away from the house of the victim and the place is very grassy and has no electricity,” Alpas narrated.

Alpas said that they have no suspect yet. However, he said that neighbors revealed the victim have a lot of enemies because he gets into a lot of fights with many people, including his brothers, when he is drunk.

His wife was not home during the incident because she was working in Cebu City. Alpas revealed that the victim’s brothers have decided that Edgar’s remains be buried immediately since their place is not accessible.  (FREEMAN)