Shootings kill 1, injure 2 others

CEBU, Philippines - One person died while two others are in critical condition after they were shot in separate incidents in Cebu City and Balamban, respectively.

Band saw operator Romeo Estreba died of two gunshot wounds in the chest and left arm. His former co-worker Edgar Chan at Milajayne Trading in Talamban shot him at 6:30 a.m. yesterday in Sitio Kalubihan while the victim was having his breakfast.

Homicide investigator SPO1 Ruth Violango said the victim was confronted by the suspect over a previous grudge which resulted in a heated argument. Chan eventually shot the victim twice before fleeing on board a trisikad.

A hot pursuit operation was conducted by the Motorcycle riding cops and the elements of the Talamban Police Station but the suspect was nowhere to be found.

Initial investigation shows that the victim has provoked the suspect into an argument by badgering the latter with hatful words while having his breakfast at an adjacent eatery.

Meanwhile, cousins Warren Moragat Condiman, 17, and Joseph Condiman Pardillo, 20, are in critical condition after they were shot in Sitio Saksak, Barangay Abucayan, Balamban Monday evening.

The victims were just watching television when two unidentified assailants fired at them. Warren was hit in the nape and the bullet went through his neck. Joseph was hit in the back and the bullet went through his abdomen.

The victims were taken to the Balamban Provincial Hospital but were later transferred to Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

SPO3 Arvie Banate, homicide investigator, said he is yet to identify the culprits. However, the police said the victims are suspects of stealing fighting cocks.

“Kada naa kuno’y mawagtang nga manok ang duha dayon ang pasanginlan (every time a fighting cock is missing the two are usually the suspects),” Banate said.–Ryan Christopher J. (FREEMAN)