Councilman shot dead in Ronda

Victim is Masiao Financier?

CEBU, Philippines — A barangay councilman in Ronda, Cebu whom the police tagged as financier of illegal numbers game was shot dead by still unidentified assailants in Barangay Ilaya yesterday morning. A trisikad driver is also in critical condition after he was hit by a stray bullet.

Police Captain Rodgene Fudotan, Ronda Police chief, identified the victim as councilman Ramil Abueva. The councilman suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the body resulting in his death.

The victim was rushed to Barili District Hospital but he was declared dead on arrival. Trisikad driver Magno Porgatorio was also fighting for his life at the same hospital as of yesterday after he was hit by a stray bullet, which was lodged to his neck.

Fudotan said the councilman’s alleged involvement in the illegal numbers game called masiao is the closest motive they could think of. He said Abueva, former driver of the late Ronda mayor Mariano Blanco, allegedly severed ties with his former financier to start his own operation.

"More mi magtutuk sa illegal gambling kay tungod tingali ni sa kompetensya niya sa iyang former na financer kay nag-financer na man siya,” Fudotan said.

(We are looking at the rivalry in the illegal gambling because he used to have a financier but now he operates on his own)

Fudotan discounted the possibility that the killing of Abueva was election-related. Nevertheless, the police official said they will also look into it as part of the standard procedure in investigating a crime.

“Dili ra ni mahulog nga election-related but anyways considered gihapon tanan possibility," Fudotan said.

Based on the data from the police, Abueva is out on bail for illegal possession of firearm after he was arrested last year. His alleged illegal gambling operations include Barili and other nearby towns of Ronda.

Fudotan admitted they had a hard time building up a case against the councilman for his involvement in the illegal numbers game. The police are asking the family of Abueva to turn over his cellphone for investigation.

Fudotan said they want to find out if the councilman had been receiving threats prior to his death. (FREEMAN)