‘Drug pusher’ gunned down, ‘cohort’ injured

CEBU, Philippines - A suspected drug pusher died while his alleged cohort was injured after they were shot several times by three unidentified men in Barangay Pulangbato, Cebu City yesterday.

Randel Miñoza, 35, died immediately due to at least 10 gunshot wounds while his alleged compa-nion, Robert Ledesma, was reportedly wounded in the stomach.

Police Officer 1 John Erick Samosa of the Homicide Section of the Cebu City Police Office said the victims were shot by three men who rode on a motorcycle.

Prior to the shooting, the assailants reportedly stopped near a suspected drug den being occupied by the victims at 8 a.m. yesterday.

The backrider then opened fire and hit Miñoza multiple times on his face, head, and back.

Ledesma, who was hit on the stomach, was rushed to North General Hospital, but reportedly ran away while being brought to the X-ray room.

Samosa believed that Ledesma escaped in fear that he might got arrested and jailed because the incident happened inside a drug den.

At least 10 empty shells of a cal. 45 pistol, suspected shabu about to be repacked, and several drug paraphernalia were reco-vered from the area.

Miñoza reportedly escaped from Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 personnel in a raid last October.

He was also arrested in 2008 by virtue of a warrant of arrest for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Meanwhile, a 19-year- old student was arrested after he was seized with a pack of dried marijuana leaves while entering an establishment in Barangay Kamagayan, Cebu City on Tuesday.

Steven Egos was arrested by Eldanie Mayol, security guard of Barrio Grill Resto Bar, who found the illegal drugs inside the suspect’s backpack.

“Pagsulod ni Egos sa maong establishment, nakit-an sa security guard ang marijuana pag-check sa iyahang backpack,” Police Officer 2 Rose Ada Jungao of Parian Police Station said.

Egos is now detained and will face charges. —(FREEMAN)