Two die in separate incidents

CEBU, Philippines – A meat vendor was shot dead in his sleep while a farmer succumbed to multiple stab wounds in separate incidents in Catmon town and Danao City yesterday and last Tuesday.

In Catmon, Mondido Aniceto Girasol, 43, met his untimely death after he was shot several times while sleeping in the sidecar of his motorcycle past midnight at the Catmon Daan Public Market yesterday. He sustained wounds on different parts of his body.

Police said the gunshot wounds were inflicted by a .45 caliber pistol, albeit, the suspects remain unidentified. Witnesses said the two assailants wore bonnets, which they also reportedly used as masks.

Another meat vendor, Alfredo Colipano, 73, was hit by a stray bullet but he was lucky to survive. He was first attended to at the Juan Dosado Memorial Hospital but was later transferred to a hospital in Cebu City.

Girasol was also rushed to the Juan Dosado District Hospital but he was declared dead on arrival.

Girasol’s remains now lie at the Noesland Funeral Homes.

Meanwhile, in barangay Baliang, Danao City, 38-year-old Antonio Bataluna, a farmer, died after getting stabbed on his head, left hand, left side of his face, and right chest last Tuesday.

His brother-in-law, Reneboy Dawe, 38, later admitted to the crime but said he was only forced to grab the 26-inch bolo from the kitchen after Bataluna allegedly tried to stab him with a kitchen knife.

Dawe said he was working at their house when Bataluna arrived and attempted to stab him with a 10-inch kitchen knife.

Dawe voluntarily surrendered to authorities who arrived a few moments later. The Danao City police are currently conducting further investigation to determine the real motive of the killing.

Appropriate charges will be filed against Dawe. — Mark Z. Gantuangco/JMO (THE FREEMAN)