Boy, 13, shot dead, drugs eyed as motive

CEBU, Philippines — A 13-year-old suspected drug peddler who would have turned 14 years old today, October 30, succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds after two unidentified gunmen fired at him at around 10:30 p.m. on Monday in Sitio Lahing-Lahing 2, Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.

Police Lieutenant Vincent Bandoles, who led the responding police personnel from Mabolo Police Station, said the victim suffered gunshot wound to the head and upper body.

Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) found three pieces of spent cartridge from unknown caliber and 13 plastic sachets of suspected shabu at the crime scene.

Police believe that the minor’s involvement in illegal drugs could be the motive behind the killing.

Police Major Romeo Caacoy Jr., chief of Mabolo Police Station 4, said there is a possibility that the victim was involved in illegal drugs because of the 13 sachets recovered at the crime scene.

“Ang posibilidad nga wala siguro mo-remit sa iyahang amo mao na among gitan-aw," said Caacoy.

The 41-year-old mother of the victim admitted that her son was into illegal drugs. In fact, she told the police her son started drugs when he was still nine years old due to influence from friends who are “drug addicts”.

“Wala ko kahibawo kinsa kay wala man sad ko kabalo kinsa sad na (suspect)...unsaon nako pagkuan sa barkada dili man pa istoryaon sa akoa ang ilang mga anak…,” the mother said when asked if she have a suspect in mind.

The mother, however, believes that her son may have been used by a drug syndicate in peddling illegal drugs. According to the mother, she only found out last month that her son was no longer attending classes in school.

“Katong maghatod ko moingon man ang maestra nga wala nisulod, mouli, pag grade 8 gasugod, last year," the single mom said, admitting that she does not have much time to attend to her son as she is also working to earn a living for them.

The mother recalled her last conversation with her son who requested her to buy him spaghetti and mango float for his birthday today. —/FPL (FREEMAN)