Son of killed ‘gun-for-hire group leader’ shot dead

CEBU, Philippines - A 19-year-old son of an alleged gun-for-hire group leader, who was killed last August, was shot dead by an unidentified assailant in Sitio Lawas, Barangay Ermita, Cebu City yesterday dawn.

Arvil Gomez, son of the Arnel Gomez, alias “Budlat,” succumbed to gunshot wounds to different parts of his body.

Senior Police Officer 2 Rommel Bancog, investigator at the Homicide Section of the Cebu City Police Office, said based on their initial investigation, at around 1:30 a.m., Arvil was walking alone on a bridge linking Barangay Ermita and Barangay Pasil.

Bancog he said a man suddenly shot Arvil several times and immediately left the area. Arvil was pronounced dead on the spot by personnel of the Cebu City Emergency Medical Services.

Responding police officers from Carbon Police Station were able to find from the crime scene two empty shells of .45 cal.

Based on their further investigation, Bancog said they received reports that Arvil got out of the Cebu City Jail just last Tuesday. He was allegedly detained for violating the Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act.

“Mao na ang ingon nila nga napriso kuno sa kaso nga (RA) 9262 pero wa man hinuon gyud mi nakita nga papeles about ana,” said Bancog.

Bancog added that the mother of Arvil admitted to them that her son was really ill-behaved.

Bancog said, as of last night, they still do not have any witness to the shooting but because of what the mother told them, they suspect that the motive of the crime was personal grudge.

“Personal gyud na nga away siguro kay sumala pa sa inahan, badlungon gyud kuno na siya unya bag-o pa nakagawas sa prisohan,” said Bancog.

Arvil’s father, Arnel, was shot dead along Tupaz Street, Barangay Pasil last August 7. The gunman and the motive behind the killing were still unknown.

Arnel was reportedly on the list of top five persons of interest in the anti-criminality campaign of Cebu City Police Office for the crimes he had been reportedly involved in.

He was alleged to be the gunman in the ambush of businessman Jaime Blas Villaceran. — Ma. Fatima R. Secuya/ATO (FREEMAN)