Three shot dead in Lapu-Lapu City

CEBU, Philippines — Three people, including a father and his son, were killed by unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen in Barangay Poblacion, Lapu-Lapu City yesterday afternoon.

Police identified the victims as Angni Osman, 52; his son Nasim, 22; and their friend Jamel Marangit Babanggol, 22. The victims were shot dead by four gunmen at around 2 p.m. inside a computer shop along B.M. Dimataga Street near Virgen Dela Regla Church.

Police Officer 1 Anthony Robert Piencenaves, homicide investigator, said that Angni and Nasim were on their way to work in Mandaue City but dropped by the computer shop where Babanggol worked as technician. The victims were all residents of Sitio Iba, Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City.

"Kining amahan ug anak padulong ni motrabaho sa Mandaue ug sa dihang kalit niabot ang duha ka motor, nidiretso'g ambak ang usa, diretso'g pamusil," Piencenaves said.

One of the assailants reportedly chased Nasim who ran inside the computer shop where Babanggol was.

"Ang amahan ni attempt og ikyas pero gipusil sa lain nilang kauban," Piencenaves added.

The four assailants immediately fled after the shooting.

The police are now conducting background investigation on the Osmans to determine the possible motive.

"Basi sa among nakuhaan (og statement) diri, wala man silay naka-engkwentro diri sa maong lugar. Mga bahad, wala man," Piencenaves said.

The victims will not be subjected to autopsy because the family decided to bury them immediately in keeping with the Muslim tradition.  Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza has urged the police to look into the killings in the city. She was concerned about it considering that a traffic enforcer was also shot dead in the same street last week.

Edmund Boter, 56, was killed on the spot while directing the traffic on the street.  Boter was the second traffic enforcer killed in Lapu-Lapu City. Last year, traffic enforcer Raquel Bensi was also killed by unidentified assailant manning the traffic in Barangay Basak. (FREEMAN)