Gunman opens fire at pharmacy, car of brgy chief’s sister

CEBU, Philippines - An unidentified man opened fire at a pharmacy and an Internet café owned by the family of Inayawan barangay captain Lotlot Ignacio-Soon in Barangay Tejero, Cebu City yesterday dawn.

Superintendent Aileen Recla, chief of the City Investigation and Detective Management Branch (IDMB), said they are conducting an investigation into the incident of Pharmacia Ignacio and Internet Café.

 At around 2:05 yesterday, the mobile patrol responded to the shooting alarm along T. Padilla Extension, Barangay Tejero.

The police found out that there were gunshot holes in the Toyota Fortuner of Liezel Ignacio Fernandez, Lotlot's sister, as well as in the windows and walls of Pharmacia Ignacio and Internet Café, owned by Leizel and Ramon Fernandez.

Investigation revealed that an unidentified man onboard a motorcycle fired at the establishments and vehicle using an unknown caliber of firearm.

Recovered from the crime scene were seven pieces of empty shells of a 9mm caliber.

Recla said she requested Fernandez to bring her vehicle to the Crime Laboratory for trajectory examination.

She added that they cannot determine yet if the incident was politically-motivated. Soon is running for a seat at the City Council.

"Di pata maka establish if politically motivated… di pata maka conclude if mere shooting incident lang ni," she stated.

Soon reportedly said that last Thursday someone also fired at their barangay's patrol car. Recla said they will check on the matter.

"I-check sa namu…wala naabot ang report nga gikuan ilang sakyanan," she said.

Meanwhile, after hearing of the shooting incident involving one of his allies, Mayor Michael Rama has ordered for the police to look into the incident.

Rama also directed Team Rama candidates to beef up their security since "this is not an ordinary election."

"I don't have the police report. But I am really wishing that it's not connected with politics. Wishing also that it's not a design. And precisely it becomes incumbent now for the chief of police and me exercising operation, supervision and control to bring whoever is responsible and that's it," he told reporters.

 "I'm glad that it's just damage to property but still it's a serious attack to all of us who are peace loving. That's precisely the reason why I want that seriously looked into," he said, adding that he challenges the head of the police "to match up the quickness" in resolving this incident.

Also, he said there was a black van tailing his vehicle after a pulong-pulong in Barangay Buot Monday afternoon.

Rama said it was Buot Barangay Captain Rosalita Callino who warned him about a van tailing his vehicle.

Rama said several vehicles from Barangay Buot arrived and secured him.

"As I said, I have anticipated a lot of these and brought all to be aware that this is not an ordinary political skirmishes. That we are seeing beyond," he said.

 "I have turned over my life to God. Mag-alarma ka, you will be mentally disturbed. Everybody should focus towards the ending. Build up. Don't get to be saddled with opponent attack when opponents are too far away. All you have to do is secure the victory. We secure our victory," he said.

But Rama said he will not move for the inclusion of the city under the Election Watchlist Areas.

"Are they planning something? We can handle. All of us. Our responsibility as concerned peaceful loving citizens. Each one of us should be made to be watchful. It's too difficult to be trusting this government bringing us under control," he said.  (FREEMAN)