Chief brgy. Tanod slain in "ambush"

CEBU, Philippines - The chief tanod of Barangay Duangan, Balamban was killed after he was allegedly ambushed by unidentified assailants in Barangay Gaas part of Transcentral Highway at 7 p.m. last Saturday.

Police said Felix Sabalande, legal age, married, suffered from multiple gunshot wounds that led to his untimely death.

Investigation revealed that about four hours before the incident, the victim was instructed by the barangay to distribute letters for the farmers informing them of a meeting that is scheduled today.

After he distributed the letters, Sabalande allegedly passed by the Transcentral Highway to visit his friend, barangay councilor Vicente Gallo, who invited him to the latter’s house.

After dinner, the victim allegedly immediately left home but a few meters away from the councilor’s house, residents heard several bursts of gunfire. 

Gallo and his visitors immediately went checked the area where they heard gunshots and were surprised to see Sabalande’s body beside the road and bathed in his own blood. Responding policemen from Balamban Police Station failed to arrest the perpetrators who immediately fled after the shooting.

Recovered from the crime scene was one empty shell of .45 caliber pistol, four empty shells of carbine, two empty shells of 9mm pistol and one deformed slug.

PO2 Cesar Climaco said they believe at least two or three men killed the victim. He added they are still conducting follow up investigation to determine the motive of the killing.

Meanwhile, a sleeping barangay tanod was awakened by a bullet that hit the left part of his head at past 4 a.m. yesterday along Lapu-Lapu road, barangay Sto. Niño, Cebu City. The victim was Jun Manire, 43, a resident and barangay tanod of Ermita while the suspect was only identified as wearing a jacket with hood and pants and riding a black bicycle.

Investigation showed that the victim was sleeping soundly in a wooden bed along the road when a burst of gunfire woke him up and he subsequently felt intense pain on his head and felt blood oozing from it.

Manire claimed he still managed to see the bicycle-riding man speeding off towards M.C. Briones Street.

The victim immediately sought the help of one Narcisa Branzuela, who took him to the Cebu City Medical Center for treatment.

Police said that a week before the incident, Manire had an argument against a laborer at Carbon Market regarding the rented pushcarts that were to be kept at the Conrad building located in the said area where the victim was the caretaker.

The victim believed that the said man he encountered was the one who shot him. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc and Niña G. Sumacot/WAB (THE FREEMAN)