Ex-scout ranger shot dead

CEBU, Philippines — A 60-year-old former Philippine Army scout ranger was shot dead by unidentified gunmen along the road in Sitio Saac, Barangay Buaya, Lapu-Lapu City around 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

Ubaldo Cabulao, 60, who works as a private security escort, was driving his motorcycle on his way to work when he was allegedly surrounded by unidentified gunmen on board two motorcycles and was shot several times.

Cabulao sustained several gunshot wounds to the different parts of his body and was declared dead on arrival when he was brought to Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital by responding team from the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation.

According to Senior Superintendent Rommel Cabagnot, director of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, the CCTV installed in the area was not operating from 6 a.m. until 11 a.m. on the day of the incident.

“Ang CCTV gahapon (Wednesday) kay putol, naa man to’y CCTV sa area pero naka-patay ang CCTV tapos nabalik and CCTV operationally kay alas onse na sa buntag,” he said.

Cabagnot said that there is a possibility that the motive of the shooting may be personal.

“Amo pang gi-background (check) ang biktima kay ang isa sa iyang trabaho kay caretaker kay ex-military man ni siya,” he said.

Cabulao’s son, Rex Armor Cabulao, said that he did know if his father had any enemies or if his father received any threats before the incident happened.

“Wala ra man. Kung naa siya’y kontra, wala man siya naghisgot,” he said.

He also said that his father was a former Philippine Army scout ranger who was assigned in Marawi in 1980s.

The son said he wants justice for his father’s death.

“Manawagan lang ko’g hustisya, paingon ra man na siya sa duty. Manawagan lang gyud ko’g hustisya,” he said.

Ubaldo Cabulao will be laid to rest on November 30. (FREEMAN)