"Kidnap victim" shoots "abductor" to death

CEBU, Philippines - The 22-year-old self-confessed drug courier who was rescued by authorities after he was kidnapped barely a month ago shot one of his alleged abductors to death the other night.

Joel Rhey Basay, also known as Jay-r, a resident of barangay Don Andres Soriano (formerly Lutopan) in Toledo City was accused of killing Emmanuel Ramirez Samson, 17, a resident of barangay Mambaling in Cebu City.

Jonas Ramos, 23, told the police that he and Samson were sitting together at an alley in sitio Trinidad, barangay Punta Princesa, when Basay appeared past 7 pm and, without provocation, shot Samson, hitting the back of the latter’s head.

Basay reportedly fled towards the neighboring barangay Mambaling while Samson was rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center. The victim was later declared dead. 

Samson’s mother, Emma, said Basay reportedly went to their house earlier that night and looked for Samson. When told that Samson was not around, he allegedly fired a shot into the air and left.

This reportedly prompted her and her live-in partner, Junnie Abordo, to look for Samson to warn him but it was already too late, as Abordo even reportedly met Basay who was rushing away from the area.

Police believed that the suspect killed the victim as a form of revenge.

Last June 28, police found Basay hogtied inside a three-storey house in Seaview Heights, Talisay City that was owned by one Alvin Cabigas. Basay’s uncle, Marino “Inok” Lawis, 44, was reportedly renting the house at that time and Basay admitted he was working for Lawis as a runner for the latter’s drug activities.

Basay earlier said Lawis was allegedly with Samson and a certain Tawiwa during the alleged abduction. — Niña G. Sumacot/JMO (THE FREEMAN)