Drug suspect killed in Medellin ambush after posting bail

CEBU, Philippines — After nine years in jail, a drug suspect who just posted bail has died while his sister was injured after they were ambushed in Barangay Don Virgilio Gonzales, Medellin in northern Cebu at around 11:30 a.m. yesterday.

Police Major Wilfre Grapa, chief of Medellin Police Station, identified the victim as certain Reynaldo Arcenal, 48, a resident of Hagnaya, San Remigio, Cebu.

Grapa told reporters that Arcenal was fetched by his relatives from the trial court in Medellin after he posted bail for his illegal drug charges.

“Samtang gikuha siya didto, nagbiyahe sila, nagbiyahe sila aning gitawag nga Aisle of Medellin, pag-abot ani nga barangay, diri ni siya gibirahan, mingaw kaayo, walay kabalayan,” said Grapa.

Arcenal was seated at the back seat of the vehicle while his sister was at the front seat when suddenly two pick-ups pulled over on one side and in front of the vehicle.

“Mao to’ng paghunong gipahapa ang driver, then mao dayon to, gitirahan ang naa sa likod,” said Grapa.

At present, Grapa said they are further conducting investigation to identify the two white pick-ups used by the unknown perpetrators.

After the incident, the Medellin police then alerted the neighboring police stations to monitor the vehicles for the hot-pursuit operation.

“Ang giingon sa driver nga igsuon nga upat kuno kabuok (suspects) kay wa naman sila kabantay kay gipanaug naman ug gipahapa, mao ilang estorya,” said Grapa.

There were seven of them inside the vehicles, including four minors. Arcenal and his sister were immediately rushed to hospital but the former was declared dead on arrival.

Arcenal was found to have eleven gunshot wounds on the different parts of his body.

“Duna juy kasuko ang nagtira, ato pa ning i-dig up,” said Grapa.

He also added that they are not discounting any possible motives other than illegal drugs behind the killing. — GMR (FREEMAN)