Ex-councilman, brother shot dead

CEBU, Philippines — A former barangay councilor and his brother were killed by unidentified assailants riding a motorcycle in Barangay Tabok, Mandaue City last Friday evening.

Wendell Alilin, 39, and his brother Bryan Alilin, 35, residents of the barangay, were both shot several times by the unknown gunmen at around 11:30 p.m.

Wendell was a former first councilor of the barangay while Bryan worked as a habal-habal driver.

Chief Inspector Mercy Villaro, information officer of the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO), said the brothers came from a cockpit and were supposed to go home to Sitio Upper Tabok.

“Gikan daw sila'g buwangan. Wala hibaw-i kung asa sila nagbuwang. Gamay ra ang porsyento nga posible naa siyay nakaaway sa buwangan. Giatngan na sila. Walay nakawat, di sad ta kaingon nga robbery,” Villaro said.

According to Police Officer 3 Jessie James Galo of Jagobiao Police Station, the two brothers were on board a motorcycle when two men on another motorcycle appeared and shot them several times.

The unknown gunmen fled after the shooting.

It was the City Tactical Operations Center (CTOC) that initially responded and found the victims sprawling on the ground with several gunshot wounds.

Galo said the CTOC immediately alerted the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO), which then checked the situation of the Alilin brothers. They did not have vital signs, according to CDRRMO’s Carlos Tubin, who declared them dead on the spot.

As to the possible angles, Villaro said that the brothers may have been killed because of debt that reached millions.

“Daghan siya'g utang kay mangita ni siyag ika-loan,” Villaro said, adding that Wendell was also engaged in exporting seafood. Wendell reportedly owns a freight service company located at Barangay Ibabao.

She added that Wendell was believed to have links with a suspected drug personality who supported him in the previous elections.

Recovered from the crime scene were 9 fired cartridge cases and two fired bullets from an unidentified firearm.

Police are still conducting a further investigation after the incident.

Last Tuesday, September 4, 36-year-old Froilan Mabaga, a habal-habal driver, was also shot dead by four unidentified assailants at the foot of the Cansaga Bridge in Barangay Paknaan.

Police said Mabaga's death was linked to illegal drugs as he was part of the watchlist of Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).  —/JMD (FREEMAN)