Alleged thief-drug addict shot dead on his birthday

CEBU, Philippines - A man was shot dead on the day of his birthday by a still unidentified assailant Monday evening in sitio Cumbado, barangay Cantuod, Balamban town.

Rogie Jamandron, 21, who is a contractor of Metaphil Inc., succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds to the different parts of his body. He was no longer taken to hospital.

Police are now pursuing Jamandron’s alleged involvement in theft incidents and in illegal drugs.

This after police investigation disclosed that Jamandron was caught in a close-circuit television camera stealing inside a sari-sari store owned by a relative. However, the storeowner refused to file a case and settled the matter amicably.

“Ingon sad didto nga suspect ni sa lungkab-lungkab sa U-box sa motor,” said PO3 Godofredo Dumdum, responding officer.

Police also found wicks and aluminum foils in the wallet of Jamandron which made them suspect that he was a drug user.

Several motorcycle-for-hire drivers also said that Jamandron never paid his fare.

Prior to the incident, Jamandron was heading to a store about 200 to 400 meters away from his residence at around 10:05 in the evening to buy cigarettes.

Upon reaching the Cumbado Bridge, successive gunfire rang out hitting Jamandron.

 Dumdum said the gunman was keeping an eye on Jamandron and was waiting for the right time to commit the crime.

“Sa execution sa crime murag dunay kalagot ang nagpusil kay nawong ug ulo man kasagaran igo. Naay usa sa tiil,” Dumdum said in a phone interview.

Eight empty shells of unknown caliber were found at the scene.

Further investigation revealed that Jamandron was a friend of an alleged noted drug pusher in the barangay who police has been monitoring.

“Amigo ni sila unya silingan ra pud. Wa pa lang namo na dakpi,” Dumdum said. (FREEMAN)