Weekend of violence in province

CEBU, Philippines - A 19-year-old motorcycle-for-hire driver died after he was shot by an unidentified gunman in Barangay Maghaway, Talisay City early morning yesterday.

RJ Cabigas Elegen, a resident of Barangay Tapul, died of a lone gunshot wound to his right temple.

The victim was driving his motorcycle past 12am yesterday when an unidentified person shot him at close range. He passed away on the way to the Talisay City District Hospital.

Police are yet to determine the motive behind the incident, but theorized that if personal grudge has nothing to do with the case, the victim might have been killed just for thrills.

Meanwhile, a man was injured after he was shot by his enemy in Barangay Catarman, Liloan town last Saturday night.

The victim, Harison Sabanal, 26, pointed to one Keneth Villacarlos as the alleged gunman. Both are residents of Barangay Catarman.

Based on initial investigation, Sabanal was taking a bath at a deep well near their house at past 7pm when the suspect shot him on the back. Sabanal was taken to the hospital while the suspect was arrested at his residence.

Neighbors and relatives of Sabanal said he and Villacarlos have an unsettled quarrel and have long harbored a grudge at each other. The suspect was submitted to a paraffin test to determine if he was the one who really fired the gun.

In yet another shooting incident, a businessman is in critical condition after two men entered his house in Danao City and shot him and his son several times last Friday night. The victims’ residence is located in Santo Tomas Village, Barangay Poblacion, Danao City.

Victims Richard Caangcay, 43, and his son Joseph, 27, a call center agent, were first brought to the Danao District Hospital, but they eventually had to be transferred to the Perpetual Succour Hospital in Cebu City.

Richard is in critical condition after he suffered three gunshot wounds on his stomach and face. Joseph sustained on gunshot wound and has been declared stable.

The victims were watching television in their living room when two bonnet-wearing suspects barged inside their house and shot them. The suspects then fled right away on board a motorcycle. 

SPO1 Allan Muñoz of the Danao City Police said the house of the victims was situated several meters away from other houses. Lighting in the area was also reportedly dim, which made it easier for the suspects to slip into the house.

 “Ang lugar sad ngitngit nga sudlunon unya elevated,” Muñoz told The FREEMAN in a phone interview. — (FREEMAN)