3 alleged members of gun-for-hire group killed in shooting

CEBU, Philippines —  Three alleged members of a gun-for-hire group were killed inside the house of one of the victims in Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City dawn on Sunday, December 5, 2021.

Major Jose Angelo Acupinpin, the chief of the Pardo Police, identified the three as Jake Bas and Ernie Sales, both of legal age, and Mark Aventurado, 16, all residents of Inayawan.

The three died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Responders found the bodies of Aventurado and Sales inside the latter’s house while Bas’ body was found at the back.

Police received the alarm around 5:40 a.m.

The suspect is at large as of this writing.

As of yesterday, no witness to the shooting has surfaced but Sales’ neighbors heard bursts of gunfire.

"Mura daw ga-gubat na didto sa area," Acupinpin said.

Initial investigation indicated that Bas may have tried to run away but the suspect caught up with him at the back of the house.

Bas even reportedly tried to seek help from one of neighbors.

"Naay silingan niingon nga nituktok kuno si Adoy (Bas) sa ilang balay pero wa niya pasudla kay nagdala og armas," Acupinpin said.

Police radar

Acupinpin said they have kept an eye on the three following a series of shooting incidents in the area in the past few months.

The three reportedly transferred from one place to another because Bas had a standing warrant of arrest for robbery and homicide.

"Magsige man nila sila og balhin-balhin lugar ba kay wanted lagi ni si Bas,” Acupinpin said.

The three were hiding at Sales’ house when they were killed.

Police traced the three men to a gun-for-hire group, which is also involved in the illegal drugs trade.

“Base sa among information, kining si Bas mao say contact-kon sa mga personalities naa na priso na ug naa sa atong prisohan," Acupinpin said.

Bas was the primary suspect in some of the shooting incidents in Inawayan while Sales and Aventurado were allegedly his accomplices. Aventurado also drove the getaway vehicle and would serve as lookout.

Shooting incidents were linked to the drug trade.

"For example, naay dili kabayad sa ilang grupo, kani si Bas maoy musingil unya og dili kabayad, sya pud ang mupatay," Acupinpin said.

Residents in the area were reportedly afraid of Bas, thus, they would not divulge the whereabouts of the three men to authorities.

"Nakadawat mi’g info nga mga tawo sa Inayawan mahadlok ani niya maong mahadlok sila muhatag information sa mga police," Acupinpin said.

Motives

Acupinpin said they are eyeing several motives to the shooting, including the possibility that the three may have been killed by fellow group members because of drugs. Rivalry is also looked into.

Aside from this, the police are also eyeing the possibility of retaliation from people the victims have victimized in the past.-  JMO (FREEMAN)