Man wanted for 2 shooting incidents in Consolacion

CEBU, Philippines — Consolacion police are now on the hunt for one man allegedly involved in two separate shooting incidents where two men were hurt, in Consolacion and Liloan on Saturday evening.

Police Officer 1 James Micheal Borris of Consolacion police identified the suspect as Jessie 'Kano' Casada, of legal age and a resident of Barangay Lamac, Consolacion, Cebu.

The first victim, Alester Mahipos, 23, a resident of Barangay Lamac was having a drinking spree with his friends when the suspect suddenly appeared on board a motorcycle.

Without apparent reason, the suspect allegedly fired his .45 caliber revolver towards the ground, but the bullet ricocheted and hit Mahipos on his right arm and left leg.

The suspect immediately fled the area right after the incident.

Police recovered from the crime scene one empty shell from a .45 caliber revolver.

Several hours after the shooting incident in Consolacion, another shooting incident transpired in Barangay Yati, Liloan, still with Casada as the perpetrator.

Police Officer 2 Ryan Talle of Liloan police told The FREEMAN that a certain Rodney Panaugon, 43, a habal-habal driver, went to their office and reported the incident.

Panaugon told police that while he and two other habal-habal drivers were waiting for passengers, two motorcycles stopped in front of them.

Panaugon identified Casada as one of the drivers.

Allegedly, Casada drew his firearm and fired a shot which prompted the three habal-habal drivers to run. However, one of the drivers, a certain Mark, was hit on his left leg.

Casada and his cohort were seen immediately leaving the area right after the incident.

Police Superintendent Mina Domingo, Consolacion police chief, said that they have been monitoring Casada for quite some time because of his involvement in illegal drugs and other crimes in Consolacion.

"Matagal ng mino-monitor natin iyan dito. Inaalam natin kung kanino naka-link. Wanted talaga iyan dito," said Domingo.

Domingo said that Consolacion police is now conducting hot pursuit operation against Casada for his immediate arrest.

They are also doing follow-up investigation to determine the motive of the shooting incident, though, she said, they are not discounting that the motive might be related to illegal drugs. —/JBB (FREEMAN)