‘Hitman’ arrested for gun, drugs

CEBU, Philippines — Police have arrested an alleged hitman for illegal possession of firearm and illegal drugs during an operation Thursday evening in Barangay Suba, Cebu City.

The suspect was identified as Hipolito “Eljun” Ocaba Laborte, 33, resident of Block 2, Barangay Suba, Cebu City.

Operatives of Sawang Calero Police Station were responding to an armed person alarm when they caught Laborte in possession of a caliber .22 revolver and two packs of shabu worth P68,000.

He was tagged as one of the suspects in the killing of Allan Macario Herasmo, 49, a fishport laborer, on June 3, 2022 in Barangay Sawang Calero. He was allegedly with his brother Cifra Ocaba Laborte, 25, when they killed Herasmo.

They have been a subject of manhunt operation since the shooting to death of Herasmo. According to the police, the brothers fled from their house and had been very elusive. In fact, Cifra remains at large until now.

Police records show that Cifra was arrested in October 2020 after he was accused of homicide over the death of Rody Miguito Picaplaza. He was released from jail after posting bail for his temporary liberty.

He was again arrested on October 23, 2021 for illegal gambling but was also granted bail. The police are now preparing criminal complaints for illegal possession of firearm and possession of illegal drugs against Hipolito.

He is temporarily detained at the Sawang Calero Police Station pending the commitment order from the court. —Romeo Marantal/FPL (FREEMAN)