‘Hitman’ shot dead in Minglanilla town

CEBU, Philippines — An alleged ‘hitman’ was shot dead by two unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen Saturday afternoon in Barangay Vito, Minglanilla.

The victim was identified as Armando Orillano, 32, resident of the said barangay.

Police Officer 3 Junyl Ater of Minglanilla Police Station said that Orillano was driving his motorcycle but had to stop for a while to check on something when the two assailants came and shot him several times.

The victim was rushed to the nearest hospital but was declared dead on arrival due to several gunshot wounds in the body and in his head. Homicide investigators recovered six empty shells of caliber .45 from the crime scene.

According to the police, the victim may have been tailed by the assailants. Ater said that the victim was a known gun-for-hire in Minglanilla.

“Notorious na gyud ni siya nga gun-for-hire,” told The FREEMAN in an interview.

Chief Insp. Verniño Noserale, Minglanilla Police chief, said they have intelligence report that the victim used to work as ‘hitman’ for self-confessed drug lord Franz Sabalones. He, however, admitted that Orillano has no criminal records in the station because none of his alleged victims complained.

Orillano was also said to have been involved in illegal drug activities. The police are looking at his involvement in the illegal drug trade as possible motive. (FREEMAN)