Policeman shot dead

CEBU, Philippines - A policeman was shot dead after attending a court hearing in Danao City yesterday morning.

Senior Police Officer 2 Roberto Canencia succumbed to four gunshot wounds in the chest and at the back. He was on his way home in Barangay Sabang when five unidentified assailants on board two motorcycles blocked him in P.U. del Pilar St., Barangay Poblacion shortly before noon.

Canencia, who is a known sharpshooter, failed to draw his 9mm service firearm. SPO1 Rodrigo Roble, homicide investigator, said the victim was driving his motorcycle when two of the five assailants on board a red motorcycle blocked Canencia near an intersection.

Three other assailants who were also on board a motorcycle tailing the victim from the court shot the latter from behind. The assailants in front also fired at Canencia in the chest. Canencia was rushed to Danao City District Hospital but he was declared dead on arrival.

Cebu Provincial Police Office director Patrocinio Comendador believes that the policeman’s involvement in the illegal drugs was behind the killing. Comendador however directed the Danao City police to look into the incident and catch the perpetrators. Comendador said he will assess the situation if there is a need to create a task force to investigate the killing.

Canencia was previously assigned in Minglanilla but was transferred to Danao City following his arrest during a drug operation in Barangay Tuburan in January last year.

Canencia allegedly escorted his girlfriend, alleged drug queen Marites Dalumpines, when he was arrested by the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operation Task Group (PAIDSOTG) led by former CPPO director Erson Digal.

Also arrested during the said operation was a certain Jeshwani Tabla.

Meanwhile, a fisherman was also shot dead in Barangay Calero, Liloan at 6:00 a.m. yesterday.

Agustin Ayuda, 66, was found dead by his sister Catalina inside his house. Ayuda sustained a single gunshot wound in the face. The police are looking at a certain Jay-R whom the victim had an argument before he was found dead. (FREEMAN)