Alleged pusher shot dead

CEBU, Philippines - An alleged drug user was killed after he was repeatedly shot by two men in Sitio Manga, Barangay Mambaling, shortly after midnight yesterday.

Police identified the victim as Ronald Abellanosa, alias “Tayoy”, 35, who was shot for reportedly owing illegal drugs.

Investigation revealed that Abellanosa, who has no job, was playing a card game called “tong-its” with two neighbors prior to the shooting.

They were playing at a vacant space in a renovated house owned by a certain Trifina Estrada at 12:30 a.m. when two men standing outside a bamboo fence shot the victim several times, killing him instantly.

The assailants then fled on foot and were no longer found by responding policemen.

Policemen recovered four empty shells apparently of a .45 cal. pistol and four deformed slugs from the crime scene.

According to the victim’s brother, Reynaldo, 38, he heard from bystanders that his brother owed a certain amount of drugs to someone.

Chief Insp. Sara Jean Recla, the newly-installed chief of the Cebu City Police Office Homicide Section, confirmed that the motive behind the attack is drug-related as the victim used and sold drugs.

“Base sa impormasyon nga atong nakuha, tig-gamitan ug tigpayuhot sad na siya og drugs,” Recla said, although the suspect was engaged in small time illegal drug trade, she added.

The victim’s body was taken to the St. Peter Funeral Homes and subjected to an autopsy.  (FREEMAN)