Customs broker shot, in critical condition

A Customs broker is now in critical condition after two motorcycle-riding men shot him while he was checking on the site of a new office in the former WG&A building at the North Reclamation Area at around 9 a.m. yesterday.

The victim who was identified as Leonardo Abay-abay, 42, owner of the LRA Customs Brokerage, was rushed to the Perpetual Succour Hospital after one of two men onboard a motorcycle shot him.

In the investigation conducted by the Homicide Section of the Cebu City Policed Office led by SPO3 Rey Cuyos, the victim was with Jerome Miel Abay-abay, a cousin, who acts as his driver, messenger and bodyguard.

While Leonardo was checking the site of their new office, he asked Jerome to bring some of his office stuff to the third floor of the said building where he is to hold office.

When he was about to walk inside the building, the gunman shot him. He was hit in the lower back.

Perpetrators fled after the incident.

City police director Patrocinio Comendador said that the police are now looking into two possible angles to the shooting – it could be work-related or involves personal matters.

A hospital source who requested anonymity confirmed to The FREEMAN late afternoon yesterday that the victim is still in critical condition and is about to undergo an operation. — Queenie Chariz Dayanan and Princess Mondejar, CNU interns/MEEV