Laborer shot dead at Taboan market; dispatcher shot while clinging to PUJ

CEBU, Philippines -  A 40-year-old woman was shot dead by five unidentified men on board three motorcycles at the Taboan Public Market in Barangay San Nicolas last Friday night.

Alma Eugene, 40, a laborer and a resident of the said place, succumbed to three gunshot wounds to her chest, left side of her body and back. She was found drenched in her own blood at a dark portion of the market.

Initial investigation revealed that the assailants were riding in tandem when they shot the victim. They fled immediately right after shooting Eugene.

The victim’s daughter, Ruchel, a student of the Gothong National High School, told authorities three gunshots alerted her and prompted her to go outside the house to check. Bystanders told her the gunshots came from the dark portion of the market. Later, she saw her mother already sprawled on the ground in her own blood.

Neighbors rushed Eugene to the Cebu City Medical Center, but she was declared dead on arrival. 

Police found three empty shells of a .45 caliber pistol at the crime scene. Investigation is ongoing to determine the motive of the killing.

In a separate incident yesterday, a jeepney dispatcher was shot by unidentified men around 4pm along A. Soriano Street in Barangay Carreta. The victim, Pablito Ybañez, 32, of Barangay Mabolo, died to two gunshot wounds.

Investigation revealed that Ybañez and his two companions clung on a jeepney heading towards SM City at the North Reclamation Area. Later, after some passengers disembarked, Ybañez’ companions found available seats and sat inside the vehicle, leaving Ybañez still clinging at the rear end of the jeepney. When the vehicle was near White Gold, three men reportedly clung on the vehicle beside Ybañez and minutes later, gunshots were fired and Ybañez lost his grip on the vehicle and fell to the ground blooded.

The three men who clung to the jeepney near the White Gold immediately jumped off the vehicle and fled.

Ybañez was rushed to Cebu City Memorial Medical Center where he was later declared dead due to the gunshot wounds on his chest and head. Four empty shells believed to be from a .45 caliber pistol were recovered from the crime scene.

SPO4 Alex Dacua of the Cebu City Police Office said it is possible that drugs or personal grievances may be involved in the shooting. (FREEMAN)