2 killed in separate shootings

CEBU, Philippines - A man was killed while another one was injured in separate shooting incidents in Cebu City yesterday.

In 7th Street, Barangay Mabolo, 58-year-old Jose Bersabal died of three gunshot wounds on his body after he was repeatedly shot by an unidentified assailant.

The victim, a resident of the nearby Joaquino St., was walking on his way to a store at 12:30 am to supposedly buy cigarettes when the assailant appeared and opened fire at him.

Bersabal, who was hit on both his right and left chest and on the left side of his face, died on the spot. He slumped bloodied on the sidewalk while the gunman disappeared.

The victim’s body was brought to St. Francis Funeral Homes and will be subjected to an autopsy.

The police are now gathering information about the victim to possibly determine the motive behind the attack.

Meanwhile, a burst of gunfire rang in sitio Sto. Niño, Barangay Ina-yawan at 9:30 a.m. yesterday and wounded Joseph Aceboque, 31.

Aceboque, a teller of Arrastre Puerto Servicio, believed that he was hit by a stray bullet, but police surmised that he might have been the target.

The victim was also walking on his way home when he allegedly heard a burst of gunfire. Moments later, he felt cramps on his leg and discovered that he was hit.

He tied his wound using a piece of cloth and proceeded home where he sought assistance from his wife, Debbie.

Debbie took him to the Miller Hospital where he is now recuperating.

Meanwhile, a 32-year-old man who was accused of theft was shot dead by his own cousin inside his house in Sitio Looc, Barangay Poblacion, Argao early morning yesterday.

Jimboy Tabio, single, succumbed to three gunshot wounds and was declared dead on arrival at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City. He was still able to mention the name of the assailant to the police before he died.

Now detained at the Argao police stockade pending murder charges in court is Nito Ortega, 39, who was arrested by the police during the hot pursuit operation at about 8:00 in the morning.

PO1 Brian Yosores of the Argao Police Station said that he heard several gunshots and he told his team to respond the alarm.

Yosores said that they were nearing the place when they were met by the barangay ta-nod who led them to the house of Tabio.

When police arrived, Tabio was severely bleeding due to gunshot wounds on his head, right shoulder and right forefinger. Police primarily rushed him to the Isidro Kintanar Memorial Hospital before he was referred to the VSMMC.

Yosores said that Tabio’s nipa hut was dark and situated along the shore.

Police recovered five empty shells of caliber .45 pistol believed to have been used by Ortega in killing the victim.

In the hot pursuit operation conducted by the police, Ortega was arrested in his house where authorities confiscated from him a caliber .45 pistol.

According to Yosores, Ortega said that he failed to hold back his anger, alleging that Tabio was a thief who had even entered houses before and took some valuables.

“Mao lang na’y estorya ngadto sa ilang dapit,” Yosores said.

Police also found out that aside from Ortega’s allegation that Tabio was a thief, the two also had personal grudge which could also be the reason which triggered the killing. — (FREEMAN)