Shootings kill 3 in Cebu City, Mandaue City

CEBU, Philippines - At least three people, including a robbery suspect, were killed by unidentified assailants in separate incidents.

Jimmy Vargas, resident of Zone 3, Barangay Mantuyong, Mandaue City, was shot dead by a motorcycle-riding gunman past 9 p.m. on Tuesday while he was walking along B. Ceniza Street in Barangay Centro.

Police investigators are looking at two possible motives in the killing – his being an alleged snatcher and his alleged conflict with a group of unidentified individuals.

Police Officer 1 Bernard Salimbot said Vargas was a known snatcher. The victim was also reported to have gotten into heated argument with a group of unidentified people few days ago.

 The police are still conducting follow-up operation to identify the gunman.

In another incident, two people were shot dead by unidentified gunmen along Magsaysay Street in Barangay Pasil, Cebu City past midnight yesterday.

Police identified the victims as Benjamin Decatoria, resident of Camp Lapu-Lapu in Barangays Apas, and Ronald Pene Publica, 27, resident of Mandaue City.

Police investigating team composed of Police Officers 3 Rufino Paelm, Winston Ybañez and PO2 Nemecio Dinopol disclosed that the victims were about to leave the area onboard a motorcycle when three unidentified persons wearing bonnet shot Decatoria several times using an undetermined caliber of firearm. The suspects then fired at Publica.

Decatoria sustained several gunshot wounds to different parts of his body while Publica succumbed to a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Crime scene investigators recovered from the crime scene seven empty shells of caliber .45 and a deformed slug. (FREEMAN)