"Ex-convict" shot to death

CEBU, Philippines - An alleged ex-convict was shot dead by an unidentified gunman along M.J. Cuenco, Barangay San Roque, Cebu City at almost 10 a.m. last Friday.

Joseph Canoy Ubaob, 25, a vulcanizing shop helper and a resident of Lapu-Lapu corner Legaspi St., was playing card game alone (solitaire) in front of Landbank Plaza Independencia Plaza Branch when two motorcycle-riding men stopped near him.

The security guard of a nearby establishment said he was buying a softdrink in a burger joint in the corner of the two streets when the backrider alighted, pulled out a gun and fired at the victim twice.

However, the witness further alleged that the gunman, whose face was covered with cloth, missed Ubaob in his first two shots, prompting the latter to run for safety. A brief chase allegedly ensued and another shot rang out.

The victim then allegedly fell down, giving the assailant the chance to fire another shots to finish him off before fleeing on board the red motorcycle driven by his cohort, who was wearing a full face helmet.

Responding policemen found the victim lying on his belly with gunshot wounds on the different parts of his body.

PO3 Geoffrey Gutual of the Cebu City Police Office-Homicide Section said the victim sustained fatal shots to his head, nape, neck, chest and hand which were believed to have caused his instantaneous death.

The victim’s cadaver was taken to the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in Junquera St. for post mortem examination.

Gutual said they are still determining the motive of the suspects but initially, they believe that the suspects are harboring grudge against the victim.

The police officer said that they learned that Ubaob was released from Muntinlupa City Jail this year for the crime of homicide.

Asked if the suspects are vigilantes, Gutual said it is impossible because the gunman was not a sharp shooter. —(FREEMAN NEWS)