CEBU, Philippines - A 28-year-old farmer was shot dead while on his way home from his 15-year-old girlfriend’s house at Sitio Kayapok-yapokan, barangay Manlapay, Dalaguete, Cebu, at around 2 AM last Sunday.
Jonathan Tabanao Limbaga, 28, farmer, single, also of the same sitio, was shot once in the nape with the bullet exiting the left side of his face causing his death.
Initial investigation conducted by responding officers led by PO3 Noeh Rosales revealed that prior to the shooting, the victim was drinking with his friends at a videoke house owned by Cristita Enricoso located in the same barangay at around 8 o’clock in the evening of November 24.
After the drinking session, the victim’s friends accompanied him to his girlfriend’s place, and left him there to rest.
At around 2 o’clock dawn, the victim woke up and decided to go home but was warned by his girlfriend’s parents not to go because it was not safe outside.
Limbaga did not heed the warning and went out.
Former barangay councilman Beinvenido Sombilon was the one who found the victim dead and lying on the street when he went out to transport his vegetables to barangay Mantalongon.
Sombilon reported the incident to the Dalaguete police station.
Responding police officers arrived at the scene and found Limbaga’s lifeless body face down on the ground with blood oozing from his head.
Authorities also recovered Limbaga’s wallet containing P560 pesos at the crime scene.
PO3 Rosales said Cristita, the owner of the videoke, refused to issue a statement when they asked her to name the victim’s companions during the drinking session.
The police are also looking into the victim’s participation as witness in the murder case against a certain Odon Carulasan who is facing trial for the death of Limbaga’s friend, Carlos Saliana. The case is pending before RTC BR 26 in Argao.
The victim’s remains now lies at St. William Funeral Homes in Guiwanon, Poblacion, Dalaguete. — (FREEMAN)