METROPOLICE: Cousins arrested

CEBU, Philippines - Two cousins were arrested after they were found to be armed while standing near a motorshop along Sotero Cabahug Street in Barangay Ibabao, Mandaue City Tuesday evening.

The cousins were identified as Ramil Batulan, 33, and Joebel Aratia, 22, both single and residents of Barangay Guinsay, Danao City.

Police Officer 2 Jessie Gakit and PO1 Allan Vertucio went to the motorshop to have their service motorcycle checked.

While waiting for their turn, someone approached the cops and told them that he noticed firearms tucked on the waist of the two cousins.

The cops then approached them and frisked the two who then each yielded a .22 caliber magnum containing three live ammunitions each.

Both suspects are temporarily detained at the Subangdaku Police Station pending the filing of an illegal possession of firearms case against them.

Mini-store strafed

Two men on board a motorcycle strafed a mini-store in Sitio Caimitohan in Barangay Labogon, Mandaue City Tuesday evening.

Luckily, the owner of the said mini-store Marcial Salonoy, 53, and his wife Marilyn, 54, who were inside the store during the time of incident were immediately able to take cover from a cemented wall and survived the attack.

The unidentified suspects, who were on board a combination of black and white XRM motorcycle, fled towards the national highway.

Police Officer 1 John Butch Epile of the Basak Police Station said a few minutes before the incident took place, the couple received a telephone call that their store will be strafed.

While they were discussing about the call, the suspects suddenly arrived and attacked them.

Outside of the couple's store, the police were able to recover five empty shells of caliber .45 pistol, believed to have come from the suspect's firearms.

Police are now trying to look into the angle of  personal grudge as the motive of the incident. — (FREEMAN)