CCPO: 16 shot in 41 days Sixteen shot in 41 days

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City recorded 16 shooting incidents for September and October this year, including that of 32-year-old man who was shot dead in Barangay Calamba, Cebu City at dawn yesterday.

Despite the figure, which translates to one incident every 2.5 days, the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) assured that there is no need for the public to be alarmed, as it has the situation under control.

“We assure that the Philippine National Police, especially the Cebu City Police Office, pinangulohan sa atong city director, nga gi-intensify gyud nato atong pag-conduct sa checkpoints sa atong mga motorstop ug sa atong Oplan Sita, para ma-prevent nato kining insidente nga mahitabo sa atong area,”said  Police Lt. Col. Albert Reeves Quilitorio, CCPO public information officer.

He said CCPO has strengthened police visibility, particularly by deploying personnel on the streets through foot patrols and motorcycle patrols.

As to the shooting incidents, 11 happened in September while five occurred this month.

In the Calamba incident, the police said tattoo artist Adrian Lloyd Almerez Flores of C. Padilla St., Barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City was just walking in an interior portion of Sitio Autobus when he was shot once in the back and twice in the head with a gun of undetermined caliber, resulting to his death.

Police Major Francis Renz Talosig, Sawang Calero Police Station chief, said that prior to the attack, Flores had a meeting with a customer.

Talosig said it is possible that the gunman monitored Flores' movements and was already waiting for him to pass by the area.

He said they are looking into illegal drugs as possible angle in the killing of Flores, whom he said was previously arrested for illegal gambling.

“Naa poy dungogdungog nga kanang biktima, prior sa nadakpan na og gambling, naa nay duwa sa drugs gihapon. Basin naay posibilidad wala to naka-remit ba," Talosig said.

He also said that they already have the name of a possible suspect but are just withholding it pending further investigation.

Quilitorio said that the shooting incidents for September and October were either related to illegal drugs or due to grudge.

He said, though, that of the 11 incidents in September, seven were already resolved, or that the suspect was arrested and brought to court. —/RHM (FREEMAN)