Man suspected of Sibonga town murder survives slay try in Argao

CEBU, Philippines - The alleged suspect in the shooting to death of a Barangay Manatad councilor in Sibonga town was injured after he figured in a firefight Sunday evening.

Godofredo Mansanades suffered gunshot wounds in the arm and abdomen after an unidentified assailant fired at him while he was walking in Barangay Apo, Argao town past 5 p.m.

Mansanades, a resident of the place, was rushed to the Barili District Hospital and was later transferred to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City for further treatment.

Insp. Alejandro Batobalonos, Argao police chief, said the assailant was waiting in a secluded area and shot Mansanades twice when the victim passed by. Apo is adjacent to Barangay Cantolaroy in neighboring Sibonga town.

 Argao and Sibonga police linked Mansanades to several shooting incidents in both towns following complaints from residents.

“Kasagaran sa (The usual) complaints kay indiscriminate firing involving him pero di namo maabtan sa (but he is no longer in the) area (when we arrive),” Batobalonos said in a phone interview.

Chief Insp. Bonifacio Tecson, Sibonga police chief, even filed a murder case against Mansanades and his cohorts after he was identified as the gunman in the shooting to death of Manatad councilman Gomersindo Sabanal, 49, last October.

Police are just waiting for the issuance of an arrest warrant for murder against Mansanades so they could apprehend him.

Sabanal was outside his house together with his two male house-helpers when Mansanades and a companion onboard a Suzuki Smash motorcycle arrived and shot him. Sabanal died before reaching Carcar Provincial Hospital.

Sabanal was seeking reelection supposedly during the Oct. 28 barangay elections when killed.

Tecson said Mansanades was involved in at least eight shooting incidents not only in Sibonga but also in Argao and in Cebu City.

Mansanades, he said, even has pending criminal charges in the two towns after he tagged in several shooting incidents.

Some complainants, however, reportedly refused to file charges out of fear of Mansanades. (FREEMAN)