Shooting leaves drink buddy dead

CEBU, Philippines - A man shot his drinking buddy dead after an argument in a friend's house Friday evening in Sitio Santa Maria, Barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City.

The victim was identified as Joey Cuartero, 30, and a carpenter while the suspect was a certain Ruel Galleta, 45, who works in one of the companies in Mactan Export Processing Zone. Both are residents of Barangay Ibo.

Initial investigation made by Police Officer 1 Jade Querubin of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office-Homicide Section revealed that prior to the incident, Cuartero and Galleta were having a drinking session with a friend named Felix in the house of Judito Ramos.

In the middle of their drinking spree, Cuartero and Galleta suddenly got into a serious verbal disagreement.

Galleta, who happened to have a gun, pulled out the firearm and shot Cuartero hitting the left part of his neck. The suspect immediately fled from the scene.

Meanwhile, the victim was rushed to the Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital by the responding Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation but was declared dead on arrival.

Police are eyeing personal grudge as the motive of the crime.

A hot pursuit operation was conducted by the police for the possible arrest of the suspect, however, as of press time yesterday, the suspect remained at large.  (FREEMAN)