Woman shot dead by a minor

CEBU, Philippines —  A woman was shot dead Thursday dawn in sitio Lawis, Alaska, Mambaling, Cebu City.

The victim was identified as Adessa Alfar Fernandez, 27, while one of the two suspects was allegedly a 17-year-old boy.

The Mambaling police said the victim was walking when she was shot using a .45 caliber pistol based on the recovered empty shell.

Two suspects reportedly ran quickly towards the South Road Properties (SRP).

Cebu City Police Office director, Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog, said the gunman has a twin brother and both of them have cases of illegal drugs and were detained at the Operation Second Chance facility for children in conflict with the law (CILC).

Initial investigation revealed that the victim threatened the suspect that if he does not give shabu, she will report him to Mambaling Police Station 11.

Dalogdog said the victim was believed to be the one who accused the twins of their illegal activity, the reason they landed at the OSC.

“Possible mahulog ni siya og personal grudge maoy hinungdan nga gipusil ang maong biktima,” said Dalogdog.

It was also found out that Fernandez was the live-in partner of Jerome Gonzaga alias Balo, who is allegedly a well-known drug personality who was just recently released from the Cebu City Jail Male Dormitory after being imprisoned due to illegal drugs charges.

The police are still looking for the suspects.

Hitman arrested

Meanwhile, the Parian police have arrested a suspected hitman in a buy-bust operation Thursday dawn in sitio Riverside, Barangay Lorega San Miguel, Cebu City.

The suspect was identified as Rodito Branzuela alias “Damol,” a resident of sitio Palma, Barangay San Roque this city.

Branzuela was arrested with 10 grams of suspected shabu worth P68,000 as well as a .45 caliber pistol with magazine and four bullets.

According to Dalogdog, during the tactical interrogation conducted by the police, it was found out that the arrested person was allegedly involved in several shooting incidents in Cebu City.

Parian Police Station 1 chief, Police Major Henry Orbiso, said the suspect was allegedly involved in the shooting incidents in Barangay Sto. Niño and is facing a murder case in court.

Orbiso added that Branzuela was arrested in 2011 and was released in 2022.

Branzuela admitted to The Freeman that he was involved in another shooting incident few months ago along F. Gonzales St. in Barangay Sto. Niño, Cebu City and that he has another target in Barangay Pardo upon the order of a woman.

“Mao mana akong trabaho sir kay gitabla man ko ana niya,” said Branzuela.

In the police report, Branzuela can dispose of 50 grams per week in Barangay Lorega and neighboring barangays in the city.

“This is another accomplishment sa atoang unified strategy katong ginatawag natong ORAP (Operation Run After Perpetrators) so daghan natag mga nadakpan kaning involved sa shooting incidents,” said Dalogdog.

Dalogdog also said that there are other personalities who have been identified to be involved in crimes such as shooting but he did not reveal their names as police are still searching for them.

Dalogdog said the arrest of the suspect will help reduce the number of cases in the city.

“Nanghinaot gyud mi nga kining shooting incidents diri sa Cebu City atong paningkamutan nga mobaba pa gyud ni, daghan pa ta og gipangita karon,” said Dalogdog. — GMR (FREEMAN)