CEBU, Philippines — Police arrested an incumbent barangay councilor who allegedly killed a 33-year-old man with mental disability in Barangay Sawang Calero, Cebu City yesterday.
Sawang Calero barangay councilor Benjamin “Jaming” Zabate, who is also a former barangay captain in the village, was nabbed a few hours after he shot dead Albert Rafols, a man with a mental health condition.
According to a concerned citizen who asked not to be named, Rafols was just standing on the side of the road when Zabate arrived and shot the former once in the chest.
The citizen further said that Zabate walked his way to the area and just casually left after the shooting as if nothing happened.
Sawang Calero barangay captain Sergio Ocaña confirmed that Rafols was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Ocaña said he has yet to verify the motive to the killing but “rumors” have floated that the suspect may have been irked after the victim allegedly spoke ill of his (suspect’s) child.
“Daghan og i-storya. Dili pa gyud ta kaklaro kay usa sa i-storya gud ani, kaning bataa naa man gud ni gamay, unya bale, unsa kahay gisulti niya sa anak ni Jaming, nasuko ang amahan,” Ocaña said.
“Daghan kaayong i-storya pero ako sang klaruhon kay unyag masipyat ta,” he added.
A few days before the shooting, Rafols was also allegedly mauled by Zabate.
Police are now conducting a follow-up investigation to determine the reason for the killing. — JMD (FREEMAN)