Laborer shot dead in Balamban

CEBU, Philippines - A 38-year-old laborer was shot dead by two unidentified men onboard a motorcycle a few minutes after midnight yesterday in Sitio Sigra, Barangay Buanoy, Balamban.

 Melchezdedek Francisco Demate, married and a resident of the said place, succumbed to three gunshot wounds in different parts of his body after he was shot by the assailant using a .45 pistol.  Demate was rushed to the Balamban Provincial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

SPO3 Arvie Banate, chief investigator, said Demate was possibly mistakenly identified as target of the assailant.

“Initially naalaan lang ni kay pareho kuno ni ug bayhon ug pamorma atong pusher nga nag-operate og drugs, (It may have been a case of mistaken identity because the victim had the same build and profile of a drug pusher.)” Banate said in a phone interview.

Demate had no enemies at work and was not involved in any argument prior to the incident.

Initial investigation of the police disclosed that Demate was with Arman Calimbayan and a certain Raymond, attending a birthday party at the residence of Rudy Restauro.

It was around midnight when the three decided to go home. They then parted ways at a corner.

Demate was about 20 meters away from his house when he was waylaid by the assailant and bursts of gunfire rang out.

Mary Ann Demate, wife of the victim, said she heard a motorcycle speed away from the crime scene but she no longer saw who were onboard.

Police recovered three empty shells of .45 pistol and a cellular phone believed to be owned by the victim.

Banate said they are inviting Paner Restauro toda, after reports that Restauro insisted in bringing Demate to the party despite the refusal of the victim.

Police are still conducting investigation to identify the assailants.  (FREEMAN)