3 dead in Minglanilla shootings

CEBU, Philippines — Two men were found dead at a riverside in Purok Lemon Grass, Baragay Tubod Minglanilla, Cebu at around 3 a.m. last Wednesday.

The fatalities were identified as Rico Padios, 18, and Exequiel Dejos, 20, both residents of the area.

Padios succumbed to a gunshot wound to the back of his head while Dejos was shot at the back of his body and head which caused his death.

A witness reportedly went to Tubod Barangay Hall to report about a shooting incident. However, the barangay tanods allegedly did not report the incident to the police until the witness came back at around 3 a.m. and said that he discovered the victims lying on the ground and lifeless.

SPO2 Rangie Lopez, investigator of the crime, said they are still searching for the witness to have a clearer picture of what really happened. He said the witness could n ot be located after he reported the incident.

Based on the witness' accounts which he narrated to the barangay tanods, a lone gunman whose face was covered with a shirt suddenly appeared in the area and shot the victims.

The police have yet to establish the motive of the killing.

Meanwhile, a 21-year-old man was shot dead by an unidentified assailant in the same barangay last Tuesday, at around 1 a.m.

The victim was identified as Jushua Laborada, a resident of Barangay Cuanos, Minglanilla, Cebu.

Laborada sustained a gunshot wound to his face.

Initial investigation revealed that the victim was driving a motorcycle-for-hire when suddenly, the gunman who was also on board a motorcycle who was on the opposite lane stopped and asked the victim where they are going and allegedly pulled a handgun.

The passenger of the victim immediately ran and heard a gunshot wound from a distance. When he returned, he saw the victim lying on the ground and his head bleeding.

The victim was brought to Minglanilla District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival while the gunman remains at large. — Marjory D. Enriquez, USJR Intern, MBG (FREEMAN)