2 killed in separate shootings

CEBU, Philippines — Two persons were killed in two separate shooting incidents in Cebu City on Friday.

A certain Gilbert Alvarez, 44, was shot by unidentified motorcycle-riding assailants while he was walking on an alley in Sitio Tuburan, Barangay Punta Princesa.

SPO1 Winston Ybañez, investigator at the Cebu City Police Office Homicide Section, said the gunman waited for the victim from the other end of the alley, then approached and shot him.

Hit in the head and chest, Alvarez was still able to run a few feet from where he was shot, but collapsed and died shortly after.

Alvarez’s hand was also run over by the motorcycle the suspects were hailing as they tried to quickly leave the crime scene. Police learned this through the markings of the motorcycle’s tires on the victim’s hands.

Police are initially eying personal grudge behind the shooting.

At around 8 p.m. later that day, Daryl Bercede, 22, a resident of Sitio Green Village on A. Lopez Street in Barangay Calamba, was also shot by his assailant, who was later caught and identified by the police as Albert Caraballe, 46.

Caraballe, who also goes by the alias “Eglo,” is a former convict for a drug case. He served jail time in Cebu City Jail and was later transferred to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

Caraballe allegedly shot Bercede using a .38 caliber revolver.

The victim succumbed to a gunshot wound to the nape.

Caraballe allegedly walked casually from the crime scene and boarded a jeepney. Police later arrested him at the house of his girlfriend, after he was identified by witnesses.

He did not attempt to resist arrest and admitted the crime.

Ybañez added that both Bercede and Caraballe reportedly came from a drug session. Caraballe was said to be harboring a grudge on victim for not paying him for the shabu he bought.

“Matod sa suspek gitabla siya og drugas, gikan sila nanuyop dihang nakit-an sa suspek... Pagkakita, nisurok ang dugo kay gitabla na man siya mga tulo ka adlaw,” Ybañez said.

Caraballe underwent a paraffin test while the firearm recovered will be subjected to ballistic examination for cross-matching with other shooting incidents.

Murder charges will be filed against Caraballe, who is temporarily detained at a CCPO detention cell. (FREEMAN)