Habal-habal driver shot dead in Talisay

CEBU, Philippines — A habal-habal driver allegedly involved in illegal drugs was shot dead by an unidentified gunman riding a bicycle in Purok Sampaguita, Barangay San Roque, Talisay City on Wednesday morning, February 4.

The victim was identified as Ryan Libradilla, of legal age, a resident of Purok Lumboy in the same barangay.

The Talisay City Police Station received a report about the shooting incident at around 7 a.m. prompting them to respond. When the responding police officers arrived at the scene, the victim had already been taken to the Cebu City Medical Center, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Patrolman Raffy Rempojo, investigator of the Talisay City Police Station, said authorities immediately conducted backtracking operations in the area to locate the gunman, who remains unidentified. Rempojo said police have yet to identify a person of interest as questioning of residents in the area continues.

“Ongoing pa ang among pag-tracking and nag-interview pud mi og mga residents… Negative pa gyud. Wala pa (person of interest),” Rempojo told The Freeman.

Rempojo said that while the victim was a drug user, authorities have yet to determine whether illegal drugs were the motive behind the killing.

“Sa pagkakaron, maglisod pa ta og sulti kung ang angle naa ba sa drugs. Sa among na interbyu, dili man pod involved ang biktima, but user siya,” he said.

Further investigation revealed that Libradilla was allegedly a new drug personality in the area, according to some witnesses interviewed by police. Rempojo also said investigators are having difficulty obtaining information as some residents deny witnessing the incident.

“Wala man, wala pod sila ka kita. Mo limod man gyud sila. Pait kay dihang lugara mang limod ang mga tao diha,” he said. — (FREEMAN)