Casino financier killed in ambush

CEBU, Philippines - A casino financier was shot dead by still unidentified gunmen yesterday dawn along Highway Seno in Barangay Tipolo, Mandaue City.

Nestor Jumao-as, 54, married and resident of Barangay Bulacao, Cebu City, was on his way home onboard his red mini Pajero (PHF 969) when one of the two suspects fired several shots at his car while it stopped on red light.

Inspector Zenaido Sanchez, chief of Mandaue City Police Office Homicide Section, said based on the CCTV camera footage, another person was onboard a separate motorcycle and served as a lookout, waiting for the victim to pass by the area.

When the victim stopped on red light, the lookout hurriedly left the place and the two other men who were onboard a separate motorcycle arrived.

The backrider then started shooting at the victim just when the traffic light switched to green.

Police said Jumao-as sustained gunshot wounds to his head that caused his death. They were also able to recover from the crime scene 11 empty shells for a .45 caliber firearm.

Sanchez said although a CCTV camera was installed in the area, they could not clearly get the plate numbers of both motorcycles used in the crime.

“Kining mga suspects, wa gyud ni kahibaw nga dunay CCTV camera sa maong area kay kun nakahibaw pa ni sila, dili ni sila motira didtong dapita,” he said.

He also said they have already talked with the victim’s wife who said she could not remember whether her husband had received threats to his life recently.

Police are now looking at Jumao-as’ business as financier at a Lapu-Lapu City hotel casino, as well as personal grudges, as motives behind the shooting.

Initial investigation revealed that Jumao-as was engaged in a heated argument inside the casino prior to his death as the victim figured in a traffic altercation six days ago.

A very close friend of the victim who used to come with him nightly to the casino was spared from death after the friend reportedly begged off from going with him a night before his death as he was not feeling well.

Police are now conducting a follow-up operation to identify the culprits.

The victim is the younger brother of former Hindang, Leyte mayor Roy Jumao-as who also died in an ambush in 2004. The late mayor was also a casino financier. —(FREEMAN)