Pusher shot dead, bogus drugs eyed

CEBU, Philippines - For allegedly selling shabu combined with iodized salt, a suspected drug pusher was shot dead by an unidentified gunman around 11 p.m. last Thursday in Barangay Don Andres Soriano, Toledo City.

Two gunshots were heard before passersby saw Renato Rupita, 39, of Sitio Dasiga, lying on his back along the road with gunshot wounds in his abdomen and neck.

Rupita was taken to the Carmen Copper Corp. Hospital and was later transferred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City. However, he did not survive.

Recovered from the scene were two empty .45 cal. shells.

Police also found four small packets of shabu, coins worth P13, a knife and a cellular phone in the scene.

Toledo City police chief Supt. Henry Biñas said they received a report that drug users complained against Rupita for allegedly selling packets of shabu combined with iodized salt.

“Mao pa ni among i-check karon kay gidudahan ra man though duna mi nadawat nga istorya pero subject for verification pa,” Biñas said.

Rupita was only described as a street pusher. Police have yet to ascertain if Rupita has pending cases in court.

Meanwhile, a 21-year-old man was stabbed to death by a tricycle driver after he requested for a free ride Thursday afternoon along the national highway in Barangay Poblacion East, Moalboal town.

Wilson Santos, of Sitio Cogon, suffered two stab wounds in his chest and another in his waist. He was rushed to the Badian District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

The alleged assailant, Alberto “Berto” Pocong, 40, of Barangay Tunga, immediately left on board his tricycle.

Prior to the incident, Santos was walking together with his father, William Santos and cousin, Fernand Toledo when they saw Pocong who persuaded them to ride his tricycle for only P5.

But Santos requested for a free ride because they do not have money. This irked Pocong who took a knife and repeatedly stabbed Santos before fleeing.  (FREEMAN)