Cop, 2 others dead in shootings

CEBU, Philippines — Three people were killed, including a police officer, in separate shooting incidents in Metro Cebu in less than 24 hours.

The victims were Police Officer 2 Lord Romyth Cañada, 49, resident of Sitio Bacay, Barangay Tulay, Minglanilla town; Flaviano Cabatas Abay, 49, a habalhabal driver and resident of Sitio City Central, Barangay Luz, Cebu City; and Vic Pilares, 48, of Barangay Cubacub, Mandaue City.

The police officer had his car fixed along the road in Barangay Calajoan, Minglanilla yesterday when unidentified gunmen onboard a black car drove by and shot him several times.

Cañada’s brother-in-law, Ken Echavez, 36, survived the shooting and is now in stable condition. Chief Inspector Verniño Noserale, Minglanilla Police Station chief, said the gunmen were allegedly using high-powered guns.

The police officer used to be assigned in Minglanilla but was among those relieved in 2016 on suspicion of being involved in illegal drug activities.

The Cebu Provincial Police Office Investigation and Detective Management Branch confirmed that Cañada was included in the first wave of reassignments in 2016. He was reassigned to the regional police headquarters. But IDMB chief Janette Rafter did not confirm that Cañada was involved in illegal drugs.

The police are still conducting investigation to identify the culprits and the possible motive.

Mandaue City

In Mandaue City, Pilares was also shot dead by still unidentified motorcycle-riding assailant in Barangay Cubacub, Mandaue City yesterday afternoon.

He suffered a gunshot wound to the head. The victim was having lunch at a small eatery when the gunman shot him from behind.

Police are looking into personal grudge and illegal drugs as possible motives. It was the third shooting incident in Barangay Cubacub in almost three months.

On September 17, an alleged chief security of Ozamis City Vice Mayor Nova Parojinog, whom President Rodrigo Duterte linked to illegal drug trade, was also shot dead by unidentified gunmen. Mar Castillo and his companion Renan Mabida died on the spot.

Castillo's alleged acquaintance, Cubacub Barangay Councilman Edgardo Bihag, and his companion Rolando Vega were also shot on October 10.

Cebu City

In Cebu City, Abay was shot dead Tuesday night along Gil Tudtud Street, Barangay Mabolo.

Senior Inspector Janelito Marquez, deputy chief of Mabolo Police Station, said the victim succumbed to several gunshot wounds. Personal grudge was eyed as possible motive in the killing.

"Nakaistorya namo iyang igsuon basin naalaan daw nga asset sa polis ang biktima. Pero dili ni siya asset sa Mabolo police, amo sa i-check sa uban, kung naa ba sad kamatuoran," Marquez said. — Mae Clydyl L. Avila and Christell Fatima M. Tudtud, FPL (FREEMAN)