Suspected drug personality hurt in robbery incident

CEBU, Philippines — A suspected drug personality was seriously wounded after he was shot and robbed by two unidentified assailants along General Maxilom Avenue, Sitio Ponce Dos, Barangay Carreta, Cebu City last Sunday afternoon.

Lourde Villacanillo, 35, a businessman who owns a sari-sari store, and currently residing in Agay-ay, Barangay Carreta, landed in a medical facility after he was shot in the mouth, with the bullet exiting through his neck.

Senior Inspector Jovito Labra, chief of Waterfront police station, said  Villacanillo claimed he was only standing along the street when the assailants approached him and pulled out an unidentified firearm.

According to Villacanillo, the assailants attempted to forcibly grab his belongings, and when he attempted to resist, the assailants shot him.

However, police investigation reveals Villacanillo has been tagged as a drug personality in the area.

Based on the accounts of witnesses, Villacanillo planned to meet up with the two assailants to purchase sachets of suspected shabu.

Witnesses speculate the dealings may have gone south and the assailants attempted to cart away his cash amounting to more than P25,000.

“Posible ka meet to niya sa illegal nga drugs, nya gi one-two-three iyang kwarta pero nakabantay man siya, pero naa to'y i-exchange sa kwarta ug shabu,” Labra said.

According to Labra, the motorcycle used during the robbery with plate number 3220 P2 was left behind after it ran out of gasoline and is now impounded at the Waterfront police station.

The P25,000 recovered was turned over to Villacanillo's aunt, who denied allegations that her nephew is involved in illegal drug activities.

The victim is now in stable condition.

Labra said that they will not be arresting the victim based on the allegations of the witnesses for lack of evidence but added that they will conduct further investigation on Villacanillo.

Tanod shot dead

Meanwhile, a barangay tanod of Barangay Mompeller, Argao was shot dead by four unidentified assailants on Sunday morning while he was driving his motorcycle with his minor son and nephew on board.

The victim was identified by police as Danny Cutilar, 45.

Cutilar was on his way home with his minor son and nephew when four unidentified assailants who were allegedly purposely waiting for him started shooting at the victim.

Cutilar sustained gunshot wounds on his head and on other parts of his body which led to his instantaneous death.

The two boys were not hurt during the incident but are still in shock.

Police Senior Inspector Cesar Misola, chief of Argao police, said that while they have yet to determine the motive behind the shooting, they are not discounting the possibility that it was work-related.

“Sabi ng kapitan nila ay wala namang kaaway pero posibleng baka may kagalit,” said Misola in a phone interview with The FREEMAN.

Police recovered one slug from a .45 caliber pistol from the crime scene.

The two minors told the police that the four assailants wore bonnets during the incident which led the police to believe that the crime was planned.

As of this press wring, police are still conducting follow-up operations for the possible identification and arrest of the suspects. (FREEMAN)