Drugs eyed in recent Medellin killing

CEBU, Philippines -  The police are pursuing illegal drugs as possible motive in the shooting to death of a security guard in Barangay Caputatan Sur, Medellin. The guard’s companion survived during the shooting last Wednesday.

Cebu Provincial Police Office director Patrocinio Comendador said that the barangay where the shooting happened is a known drug infested area.

Comendador said he already directed Medellin police chief Laurel Almirante to look into the incident deeply.

“Kining lugara duna man gyud ni problema sa drugs kasagaran sa patay ngari related sa drugs possible lang gailog sa territory (The area has an illegal drug  problem and most of the killings there are drug-related. It is possible that there is a turf war),” Comendador said.

Comendador said he might send a team from the Provincial Intelligence Branch to help out in the investigation.

Security guard Rodulfo Misa, 41, of Sitio Flores, Barangay Malbago, Daanbantayan, died on the spot because of multiple gunshot wounds while his friend, Marvin Ostia, 24, remains in critical condition at the Bogo Provincial Hospital after they were allegedly fired upon by four unidentified armed men.

Both victims came from a benefit dance in Barangay Malbago and were heading to Barangay Tindog on board a motorcycle when they were reportedly abducted by the armed men and brought to Barangay Caputatan Sur where they were shot.

Ostia survived the attack and was able to ask help from concerned citizens who brought him to the hospital.

Comendador said he already deployed Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC) personnel in the area and in the town of San Remigio and in Bogo City for police visibility. (FREEMAN)