Shooting incidents in Cebu City 'still manageable'

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) recorded six shooting incidents for this month alone, resulting in five deaths and one injury.

But Police Lieutenant Colonel Wilbert Parilla, CCPO deputy director for operations, said the number of gun-related violence remains at a “manageable level.”

He said most of the incidents were triggered by personal grudges among the parties.

“Mostly all suspects have been identified. We are just waiting for other pieces of evidence so we can file the cases in court,” he said.

The cops are set to have an oversight conference today to look into the possible security adjustments in the areas where the shooting incidents occurred.

"So we will use the crime mapping for our deployment,” Parilla said.

Hot pursuit on

The shooting in Barangay Carreta Tuesday night was among the six incidents.

Police are now hunting down a notorious robber tagged in the robbery and murder of a construction worker.

Parilla said cops from Station 4 (Mabolo Police Station) are looking for the man who killed Jenrey Sanico, 25, a native of Siargao Island.

Parilla said the suspect, whom cops did not name pending arrest, was reportedly behind the series of burglary incidents in Mabolo.

“The suspect is already identified and a hot pursuit operation is underway. He has been operating alone and does not belong to any robbery groups. He was arrested before for robbery and carnapping,” he said.

Sanico was waiting for his live-in partner in a not well lit area on A. Soriano Street when he was attacked by the suspect, who also took the former’s cellular phone and other belongings. The couple was supposed to meet for dinner.

The victim succumbed to gunshot wounds to his nape.

“The possible motive is robbery that resulted in the shooting and death of Sanico. The victim possibly tried to resist the robber,” said Parilla.

Personnel from Station 4 and Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) failed to recover empty shells from the crime scene.

Parilla said the city cops are coordinating with Sanico’s family in Siargao for the filing of charges against the suspect.

But he said the police may also act as the primary complainant to pursue the case in case the victim’s family members are unable to travel to Cebu.

To curb robbery incidents and to increase police visibility, Parilla said, cops are deployed in the said area. — KQD (FREEMAN)