Suspect shot, tanod hurt in theft alarm

CEBU, Philippines - A suspected thief landed at the hospital after shot by the responding policemen who responded to a theft alarm early morning yesterday on Tres de Abril Street, barangay Punta Princesa, Cebu City.

Renato de la Cruz, 32, temporarily residing at Carbon Market, sustained gunshot wounds on the lower portion of his two legs and was immediately brought to the Cebu City Medical Center for treatment.

On the other hand, Mario Nies Parangan, a barangay tanod, only sustained graze wounds on his chin and right portion of his body when de la Cruz and his companion fired shots at Parangan and his companions while they were chasing the suspects.

Initial investigation conducted by the Cebu City Police Office stated that Parangan, together with three other barangay tanods, Melchor Imus, Phenny San Riego and Tancio Decatoria were conducting a roving patrol in the area when they spotted de la Cruz and his companion, who was later identified as certain “Jun-Jun” Ceballos, riding a bicycle and bringing a bolt cutter which prompted the tanods to try to stop them.

But instead of surrendering, the suspects allegedly pulled out a handgun, shot at the barangay tanods and ran towards the Atillo compound.

Luckily, none of the tanods was hit but Parangan sustained grazed wounds while trying to dodge the suspects’ attacks.

Policeman from Punta Princesa Police Station immediately responded and spotted the fleeing suspects at the Atillo compound where de la Cruz was shot and immobilized. Ceballos was however able to elude arrest.

The police recovered a .38 caliber revolver, an identified homemade gun, two empty shells, four live bullets, a BMX bicycle and one bolt cutter, which was believed to be stolen.

Meanwhile, a woman was hit by a stray bullet while she was sleeping Saturday midnight in Lahing-Lahing, Barangay Mabolo.

The victim was identified as Lorna Managaytay, 25, a storekeeper in restaurant owned by certain Horte Zamo, located in the above-mentioned place.

Police said that the victim was sleeping inside the establishment she is working when her leg suddenly got painful and numb prompting her to rise and wake her friend sleeping next to her for a massage. But the two women were shocked when they saw the victim’s leg bleeding.

The victim’s friend then brought her to Cebu City Medical Center for treatment.

During a follow up operation, the police learned that a certain Roel Pepito had fired a gun while having a drinking spree with the construction workers in the area.

Homicide personnel immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation but the suspect had already fled from the scene when they arrived. — Antoniette Parce/WAB (THE FREEMAN)