Muslim leader shot dead in Lapu-Lapu

CEBU, Philippines — A Muslim imam was shot dead Tuesday evening by still unidentified gunman in Saint Michael Village, Barangay Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City.

Police identified the victim as Cairoden Ampaso Palman, 43, president of the Darussalam Urban Poor Association (DUPA).

Initial investigation revealed that Palman was driving his tricycle when the perpetrators, believed to be riding in tandem, appeared from nowhere and shot him several times. The victim allegedly suffered four gunshot wounds to the chest, one in the head, and one in both arms.

Police investigators were not able to examine the victim because the members of his family immediately retrieved his body from the crime scene as part of the Muslim tradition. The police were not also able to preserve the crime scene for possible evidence.

Lapu-Lapu City Police Office director Colonel Arnel Banzon said they are still facing a blank wall in their investigation.

“Pag-abot man gud sa atong mobil didto wala na ning patay, gidala na ni sa iyang pamilya sa ilang balay. Sa mga Muslim man gud ila man nang kuhaon dayon, ilubong man gali na nila dayon within 24 hours, so wala nato na natan-aw,” Banzon explained.

There were also no security footages available in the area where the shooting happened, making it hard for investigators to identify the culprits.

“So far wala pa sad mi ka establish kung naa bay witnesses,” Banzon added.

Crime scene operatives, however, retrieved two slugs and one empty shell of unknown caliber from the crime scene, which will be submitted for forensic examination. —FPL (FREEMAN)