2 dead in separate shooting incidents

CEBU, Philippines —  Two persons, including a reported asset of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), were shot dead by unknown assailants in different areas in Cebu on Monday and Tuesday dawn.

On Colon Street along the portion of Panganiban Street in Cebu City, Joseph Cononigo, 58, was dead on the spot after he was shot by unknown gunmen riding a motorcycle.

Authorities from Carbon Police Station led by Police Staff Sergeant Kitch Palaña said that based on their initial investigation, the victim was tailed by the assailant until he was shot four times on Panganiban Street, which led to his immediate death.

Palaña said the victim's relatives claimed he is an asset of the NBI and was visiting his pawnshop business nearby Colonnade Mall along Colon.

Recovered from the crime scene were four empty shells of a .45 caliber pistol and the victim's handbag with his government IDs, including his NBI ID, and a .45 caliber pistol.

Palaña said the investigation regarding the motive behind the crime is still ongoing.

The Freeman tried contacting NBI Regional Director Renan Augustus Oliva for comments on the matter but to no avail.

On Tuesday dawn, another man was shot dead by an unidentified assailant riding a motorcycle along EO Perez St. in Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City.

The victim was identified as Conrado Cosares, 44, a resident of B. Aranas Ext., Duljo Fatima in Cebu City, who is a motorcycle taxi (habal-habal) driver.

Police Major Romeo Caacoy Jr., the chief of Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) Station 2 in Subangdaku, said that according to witnesses, the victim was traversing EO Perez St. with his motorcycle. Suddenly, two men onboard a gray-black Suzuki Raider motorcycle shot him twice in the head.

Failed ambush

Meanwhile, a land broker in Talisay City was also ambushed by two unidentified men in Sitio Acacia in Barangay Jaclupan at around 10:15 p.m. on Monday.

Shot was Eugenio Ebales Jr., 56, a resident of the place.

Police Lt. Col. Randy Caballes, the chief of Talisay City Police Station, said the victim was driving home with his family when the incident happened.

Caballes said Ebales sustained gunshot wounds on his left arm and left side of his body near his buttocks, but none of his passengers were harmed. — GMR (FREEMAN)