2 women shot after CPDRC visit

CEBU, Philippines - Two women were in critical condition after they were shot by yet unidentified assailants just a few minutes after they visited an inmate at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City.

Police identified one of the victims as Hannah Epe, 29, a native of Leyte, while the other woman was only known by the name of “Kim” as of this writing. Investigators, though, believed that Epe was the gunman’s target.

According to Police Officer 3 Winston Ybañez, investigator at the Homicide Section of the Cebu City Police Office, the two went inside the CPDRC at around 4 p.m. yesterday to visit an inmate whose identity police are yet to find out.

The women then went out of the facility and took a motorcycle-for-hire to go to Mandaue City, said Ybañez.

On their way, the victims allegedly encountered two men wearing helmets who were onboard another motorcycle traveling in the opposite direction.

Moments later, the two men allegedly stopped, tailed the victims’ motorcycle and then suddenly fired their gun hitting Epe and Kim.

Ybañez said the bullet hit Epe under her left ear which exited on her jaw. The same bullet reportedly hit the back portion of Kim’s head. He added that the two were immediately brought to a private hospital and were in critical condition yesterday.

Police were able to talk to Epe’s uncle through the phone, and the latter allegedly told them that Epe had pending cases for estafa.

Senior Police Officer 2 Wetzel Berry of the Homicide Section said based on their assessment, the assailants could have been professional gunmen considering that they were still able to hit their target even if they were on a moving vehicle.

Berry said they were not able to get any empty shells at the crime scene; however, from Epe’s gunshot wounds, it appeared that the gunmen could have fired their gun twice.

Further investigation is still underway, he added. (FREEMAN)