Men on bail shot

CEBU, Philippines – Two men who were on bail for illegal possession of firearms and a theft case were shot by unidentified assailants in two different areas in Lapu-Lapu City on Sunday.

Ritchie Getizo, 27, a resident of Sitio Kagudoy, Barangay Basak, was shot several times by four suspects onboard two separate motorcycles in Sitio Kulo, Barangay Pajac around 12:55 dawn.

The victim was reportedly last seen at a funfair in the said barangay, according to Police Officer 2 Joseph Rouel Cutanda of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Homicide Section.

Bystanders in the area heard multiple gunshots and when they checked the area, they saw Getizo lying on the ground, already lifeless.

According to Cutanda, bystanders saw motorcycles allegedly speeding away going to Barangay Basak.

The victim’s mother, Angelina, said her son had received death threats but did not reveal identity of the senders.

The victim was reportedly a drug peddler in the area and was on bail from a recent illegal possession of firearms case.

Five small packs believed to be shabu and drug paraphernalia were discovered by the police inside his pocket. At least six empty shells of a caliber .45 pistol and a Nokia cellphone were also recovered.

His body was submitted for autopsy.

Meanwhile, along Manuel L. Quezon Highway in Barangay Pajo, a 25-year-old dispatcher was shot by unidentified man wearing a bullcap, a pink jacket and sunglasses around 6:25 p.m.

Albert Ramirez, a resident of Pilipog, Cordova, was shot at the right side of his chest.

Senior Police Officer 1 Allan Pantaleon in his initial investigation said the victim’s live-in partner, Marlen Zapanta, 24, allegedly saw what happened.

Zapanta was sitting under a waiting shed while the victim was busy attending the passengers. The suspect reportedly appeared suddenly and pulled the trigger, hitting the victim in his chest.

Ramirez was rushed to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center for immediate medical treatment.

Police said Ramirez was involved in a theft case but had bailed out.

An investigation will be made for both incidents for possible arrest and identification of suspects.