Ex-inmate found dead in Carmen

CEBU, Philippines - A man who was released from prison last month was found dead on the road bathed in his own blood Thursday dawn in Barangay Baring, Carmen, Cebu.

Victim Armel Dagatan, 25, from Barangay Suba, Danao City, Cebu bore at least two gunshot wounds on his body.

Dagatan’s body was first discovered by 18-year-old Kevin Castro, a motorcycle-for-hire driver, said Senior Inspector Alexander Nuñez, chief of Carmen Police Station.

Policemen responded to the area after Castro reported the incident.

Police found gunshot wounds on the victim’s left side of the stomach, and left side of the chest. Dagatan, who was wearing a yellow-green T-shirt and cargo short pants, sported tattoos on his right arm and other parts of his body.

Nuñez said they rushed Dagatan to Danao District Hospital. However, the victim was declared dead on arrival.

Since the crime scene was dark with only a few houses nearby, Nuñez said they doubted that someone might have witnessed the actual shooting.

Neighboring residents told them, though, that prior to the discovery of the body, they first heard two gunshots followed by a voice of a man asking for help, then a sound of a motorcycle speeding off.

Since Dagatan is not a resident of Carmen, Nuñez said they first had a hard time identifying the victim until the victim’s mother called up her son through his mobile phone.

“Pag-una, wala namo na-open (mobile phone) kay naa man password. Unya mao ‘to, nanawag man iyang mama, mao ‘to among natabi ug na-inform namo siya,” said Nuñez.

He said the mother was the one who confirmed that Dagatan, who was accused of robbery, was released from prison last month after his case was dismissed.

Nuñez said the mother also told them that her son was involved in illegal drug activities.

The police have yet to determine the motive of the crime.

“Amo pa ning adtoon sa ilang lugar aron maka-investigate sad mi sa mga kasilinganan niya. We have yet to find out ngano nga naabot siya sa Carmen bisan taga-Danao siya,” the police chief said.  (FREEMAN)