Lodge owner shot inside his building

CEBU, Philippines — A 36-year-old lodge owner was shot dead inside his establishment by two unidentified gunmen in Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City Sunday dawn.

The police identified the victim as Rene ‘Opao’ Migaranda, a resident of Bulacao, Talisay City.

Senior Police Officer 1 Darwin Gonzales of the Talisay City Police Station said that Migaranda was sleeping at the desk of his lodge when two unidentified men, who were wearing bonnets, entered the establishment and shot the victim twice, hitting his head.

Migaranda was immediately rushed to the nearest hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

The police recovered two empty shells of caliber 45 pistol in the crime scene.

“Padayon pa ang follow-up investigation para sa motibo sa incident,” said Gonzales.

Alcoy Shooting

In Alcoy, a man was shot dead at Sitio Canlopi, Barangay Poblacion last Sunday afternoon.

Police Inspector Ramuel Banogon of the Alcoy Police Station identified the victim as Christian Alvarado Debolusan, 42, a resident of the place.

The victim was reportedly having a drinking session with his neighbors and his wife outside his house when two unidentified suspects on board a motorcycle arrived.

According to his wife and neighbors, the passenger disembarked and bought a cigarette and upon coming close to the victim and his companions, the suspect allegedly asked around for the victim’s name.

“Nagpaila ang biktima nga siya si Christian, gipangutana dayon nga magpakuyog siya sa balay ni kapitan Polding pero nibalibad, pwede ba og kaila lang. Mao to pagbalibad, gipusil,” Banogon said.

After shooting the victim, the suspects fled on their motorcycle which does not have a plate number.

Based on witnesses, they do not recognize the suspects even if they were not wearing a bonnet.  According to them, the suspects were not residents of Alcoy.

The police are still looking into the possible motive of the shooting.

“Based sa initial investigation, mura’g gikuha ni siya og election coordinator,” Banogon said.

Debolusan was declared dead on the spot and was no longer brought to the hospital.

“Patay na daan sa crime scene, wa na namo nadala sa hospital, gipa-CSI ra namo,” Banogon added.

The police recovered five empty shells and one deformed slug of caliber .45 from the crime scene.

Fiesta Shooting

Meanwhile in Compostela, Cebu, three men were injured after they were shot several times by an alleged ex-convict in Barangay Mulao last Sunday dawn after attending a fiesta celebration.

The victims were identified by the police as Jaymar Quilantang, 24, Aljon Monte, 24, and a 16-year-old minor, who all residents of Barangay Basak, Compostela.

Case investigator Police Officer 3 Daryl Rondina said the suspect identified as Jesus Diongson, 48, a resident of Barangay Lusaran, Cebu City, allegedly followed the victims from the disco venue and without apparent reason shot them several times, hitting them in different parts of their bodies.

Quilantang sustained a gunshot wound to his left leg, while Monte was hit in his right arm, and the minor suffered wounds in both of his legs and buttocks.

“Kaning mga victim kay daghan ni sila nagkuyog.  Mga at least 16, pulos nag-motor, unya padung na muoli sa Basak. Kaning tulo maoy naulahi sa panon, maong sila’y naigo sa pagpamusil,” said Rondina.

Rondina clarified that the victims did not have any argument with the suspect in the disco.

“Nanimalos ni siya kay gibukbukan man ni siya og bato sa una. Wala gud ni apil ang mga biktima, iya lang gyod giapil pagkahibawo niya nga taga Basak,” Rondina added.

The police were able to arrest Diongson immediately during hot pursuit operation in his residence where the police also recovered the 9mm firearm with live bullets believed to be used in the shooting incident.

The police found out that the suspect had just been released from jail for a murder case.

Diongson is now detained at the Compostela police and will be facing charges for frustrated murder in relation to Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and violation of the Comelec gun ban. —/GAN (FREEMAN)