Traffic enforcer, canvasser killed in separate shootings

CEBU, Philippines - A traffic enforcer and a stone canvasser were shot dead in separate incidents in Carmen town and Carcar City last Wednesday.

 Niel Sabayton, 36, succumbed to a single gunshot wound in the body when an unidentified motorcycle-riding gunman shot him Wednesday night at the National Highway in Barangay Luyang, Carmen.

Sabayton was driving his motorcycle on his way home after fetching his wife from the terminal in Danao City. The gunman tailed them from Danao City until they reached a curve portion of the road in Luyang where the shooting happened.

The victim was rushed to Danao City District Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. Sabayton’s wife, Chona, was also hurt when their motorcycle crashed after her husband was shot.

SPO4 Renerio Masucol of the Carmen Police Station, believes that the motive of the killing could be related to the victim’s being a police asset.

Masucol said they have arrested several drug personalities in Carmen because of the information provided to them by Sabayton.

In fact, they were informed that few days prior to the shooting there were already suspicious persons looking at him.

“Nag-text ni siya nako before nga naay murag naniid niya unya lain og tinan-awan ako lang siya giingnan nga ayaw lang pakita pirmi diha anyway hayag bitaw inig duty niya,” Masucol said.

In Carcar City, a stone canvasser was also shot dead in Barangay Poblacion III at 1:30 p.m. last Wednesday while loading gravel to the dump truck.

Carlito Albarico, 39, succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds after an unidentified gunman fired at him.

Albarico was rushed to the Carcar Provincial Hospital but he was also declared dead on arrival.

The police recovered 10 empty shells of 9mm pistol at the scene.

Meanwhile, the police are eyeing illegal drugs as the most possible motive behind the shooting to death of a man in Sitio Tender Heart, Barangay Day-as at 2:30 pm last Wednesday.

Renante Suquib, 34, a resident of Cabantan St., Barangay Luz, was killed by two unidentified gunman.

“Basin naalaan na siya nga asset or posible g’yud nagpalit na og drugs didto. Maggamitan man sad ‘na og droga gud,” said PO3 Leroy Baguio of the Homicide Section.

Baguio said one of the gunmen was identified as Kenneth Camota, who was recently released from the Cebu City Jail.

“Engage na siya sa gun-for-hire,” Baguio said, referring to Camota, who eluded arrest along with his cohort.

Last Wednesday, the victim was seen sitting on his service motorcycle while texting prior to the incident. Minutes later, Suquib then went to the interior portion of sitio Tender Heart where he was shot.— (FREEMAN)