‘Suspicious’ man shot in Lapu-Lapu village

CEBU, Philippines - A 32-year-old man was shot by one of two unidentified men riding a motorcycle yesterday dawn in a subdivision in Barangay Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City.

Joel Cuizon, a jeepney conductor from Barangay Bankal, sustained gunshot wounds to his abdomen and right arm, said Police Officer 3 Luisito Ernie, investigator at the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Homicide Section.

Initial investigation revealed that Cuizon was walking on Camia Street inside Camella Homes heading to a nearby store to buy a cigarette at around 3 a.m.

While Cuizon was walking, one of the two suspects onboard a motorcycle appeared behind the victim and shot him twice.

Pinos said the suspects fled after the incident and neighbors who heard the gunshots then called for police assistance.

Ambulance from Emergency and Rescue Unit Foundation sent Cuizon to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center. He was already in a stable condition as of yesterday.

According to Police Senior Inspector Zenaido Pastorfide, chief of LCPO Crimes Against Persons Desk, nearby residents told the police that Cuizon’s presence in the subdivision was suspicious, considering he did not live there.

“Gikahibulngan sa mga residente kung nganong naabot siya (Cuizon) didto sa subdivision sa (Barangay) Pajac. Basin sab daw nga kawatan nga nagpasumangil nga mopalit og sigarilyo,” said Pastorfide.

Because the place was dark, residents were not able to identify the motorcycle used by the suspects, but an empty shell was found at the crime scene that reportedly came from a .45 caliber pistol.

Police are conducting a follow-up investigation for the possible arrest of the two suspects. — (FREEMAN)