Couple shot dead in Minglanilla

CEBU, Philippines - A couple was shot dead allegedly by their neighbor in Barangay Veto, Minglanilla town Friday.

Police identified the fatalities as Clarita Sotto, 42, and her live-in-partner Erwin Laspoña, 43.

Police investigation showed Sotto was outside the house with her helper around 8 p.m. waiting for a motorcycle-for-hire driver to supposedly bring them to Tabunok, Talisay City when a man suddenly appeared and opened fire at the victim.

The victim was hit to the different parts of her body that caused her immediate death.

Laspoña, who heard the bursts of gunfire, rushed outside to verify what happened but was also shot several times by the lone gunman.

Sotto was rushed to Minglanilla District Hospital but no longer made it there alive while Laspoña succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds around 6 a.m. at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

Witnesses said the assailant casually walked away from the crime scene and eventually disappeared.

Policemen immediately responded to the area and conducted a hot pursuit operation but failed to locate the perpetrator. They recovered a slug of an undetermined caliber of firearm from the area where the shooting happened.

PO1 Evie Espina of Minglanilla Police said the house helper, whose name is being withheld for security purposes, claimed she saw the gunman and identified him as Jovito Manubag Celoria, 33, neighbor of the victims.

The suspect, who was later arrested, denied the allegation though.

Espina said they are eyeing all angles behind the incident but are focusing on the angle of personal grudge or envy.   (FREEMAN NEWS)