Two men shot dead in separate incidents in province

CEBU, Philippines -  Two persons died in separate shooting incidents in the town of Borbon and in Talisay City.

A former soldier succumbed to a lone gunshot wound to his nape after he was shot by an unidentified man while walking home along the National Highway of Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Lugo, Borbon.

Virgilio Montebon Arong, 60, of Barangay Clavera, was found dead lying in a pool of blood around 1:30p.m. Wednesday.

His relatives rushed him to the Juan Dosado Memorial Hospital in Barangay Damulog, Sogod, but he was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Prior to the incident, Arong attended the burial mass of his cousin at the St. Paul Parish Church in Barangay Lugo around noon. He decided to go home because he was reportedly not feeling well.

On his way home, the assailant suddenly appeared and shot Arong twice with only one bullet hitting the victim’s nape.

Police recovered one bullet and an empty shell of a .45 pistol from the scene.

SPO1 Edgar Novabos, Borbon investigator, said personal grudge could have been the motive of the killing because Arong had several enemies for allegedly being strict.

“Ang mga tao wala gyuy mudapig niya, uncooperative, (The people are uncooperative.)” Novabos said.

In another incident, a public utility jeepney driver was shot by his friend early morning yesterday in Sitio Riverside, Barangay Cansojong, Talisay City.

Cepriano Mariquit, 36, of Barangay Pit-os, Talamban, succumbed to two gunshot wounds on his back after he was shot by Lantoy Pogoy using an undetermined caliber of firearm.

Mariquit was rushed to the Talisay City District Hospital and later transferred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) where he was declared dead on arrival.

SPO4 Daniel Tarucan, of the Talisay City Police Station, said Mariquit visited Pogoy’s house when the latter suddenly took Mariquit outside the house and left him alone for a few minutes.

After awhile, Pogoy arrived with Ritchie Daan and other unidentified man onboard a motorcycle.

It was reportedly Pogoy who drew a handgun and shot at Mariquit once but missed.

Mariquit took the chance to escape but two bursts of gunfire rang out and this time, he was hit.

Police immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation against the suspects who sped off but failed to apprehend them.   (FREEMAN)