Cops alarmed over spate of shooting cases

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has asked for specific reports from station commanders on shooting incidents in the past days, saying these have become “alarming.”

Police Lt. Colonel Wilbert Parilla, CCPO deputy city director for operations, said this after a 41-year-old woman was shot by unidentified perpetrator Thursday night, raising the number of shooting incidents since the beginning of this month to at least seven.

Authorities identified the victim as certain Elera Navaja, 41, a resident of Sitio Maracas, Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.

“Sa atong nakita kay kining biktima a-an gud previous asset daw sa Station 4, so tungod seguro atong mga nahatag na information kabahin sa drugas, seguro daghang galagot na sa iya nga mga ilegalista,” said Police Major Renz Talosig, Mabolo Police Station chief.

According to Talosig, the victim was standing in Sitio Tarcom when the incident happened.

 which raises doubts for her sibling’s part since he is living in Sitio Maracas.

Authorities are now looking into the possibility that she was set up to go to that particular sitio.

Talosig said they have now a person-of-interest behind the murder and the man is being monitored to be a drug personality.

“Mao na atong gi work out karon na makakuha tag further information sa suspect aron maka conduct tag hot pursuit operation,” said Talosig.

According also to Parilla, although most of the shooting incidents don’t have similar motives, the rise in the number for the past weeks has been alarming.

“This is already alarming for us, in past two weeks we have 7 to 8 shooting incidents, again, we will focus with our anti-criminality campaign especially in our 8 most focus crimes,” said Parilla.

Considering that this has been the second time this month that an alleged drug asset has been involved with shooting incidents, Parilla further directed the drug enforcement units to secure their asset and force multipliers. — GMR (FREEMAN)