CEBU, Philippines - A 58-year-old man died after being shot thrice by an unidentified gunman past 8 a.m. Sunday in Poblacion, Toledo City.
Leonardo Lauriano Lumokso, of Barangay Gaas, Balamban town, was declared dead on arrival at the Toledo City General Hospital. His wife, Cristina Banhaw Lumokso, survived the attack.
Police Officer 3 Rebocato Gesite, desk officer of Toledo Police Station, said the victim together with his wife had just arrived at the Public Market in Toledo City early morning on Sunday when the attack happened.
After the couple disembarked from the motorcycle the unidentified gunman wearing black jacket and helmet approached them. The gunman, who was already waiting for them at the market, pulled a .45 caliber pistol and shot Leonardo thrice in his body but his wife was spared by the gunman.
A getaway motorcycle was waiting a few meters away. The police identified the driver as Ronie Opiña Erebias, 28, a “habal-habal” driver.
Erebias told police investigators that the gunman ordered him to drive to Sitio Lawis, Barangay Luray II, Toledo City where the killer transferred to another motorcycle.
The residents of Barangay Poblacion were alarmed by the shooting incident and asked for police assistance. The victim was rushed to Toledo City District Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
The police recovered two empty shells of .45 caliber pistol from the crime scene. A bullet was also lodged in the victim’s body.
The victim was reportedly arrested for illegal possession of firearm in July. He was out on bail when the incident happened. He had been receiving death threats from his co-accused after his release from jail.
In fact, he was already shot by unidentified gunman on November 7 in Sitio Kuros-Kuros, Barangay Gaas, Balamban. He was not hit during the first attempt on his life. (FREEMAN)