Ex-policeman gunned down in Pardo

CEBU, Philippines - A 55-year-old former policeman was shot dead in broad daylight a few meters from his own house by an unknown gunman yesterday at 262 Cogon Drive, Barangay Pardo Cebu City. Raul Guinita, who was dismissed from service in 1991 for being absent without leave, met his sudden death while on his way to his brother’s house.

Guinita slammed face first on ground when the first shot resounded in the otherwise peaceful neighborhood at around 10:20 a.m.

The lone witness, 51-year-old Ledy Monteclar, a neighbor of the victim told The FREEMAN that she saw how her neighbor was shot twice on the head by the unknown gunman in front of her house.

Prior to the shooting, Monteclar saw the suspect standing near a store beside his motorcycle seemingly waiting for someone.

 “Pag unang buto, nasukamod gyud si Ralf, unya iyang (suspect) gi-duol ug gi-pusil pa gyud kaduha si Ralf..kita pa gali ko sa iyang pistola nga .45,” Monteclar said.

The gunman fled on board a white motorcycle. Monteclar then ran near Gunita’s blooded body and shouted for help.

“Pag andar sa motor mi-dagan dayon ko padulong ni Ralf, unya mi shagit ko nga mo tawag og police,” she said.

One of Guinita’s children rushed towards his side after hearing Monteclar cry for help.

Recovered from the scene were three empty shells believed to be from a .45 caliber gun as the witnesses have described.

Guinita was taken to the Cebu City Memorial Medical Center where he was later declared dead at 10:50 a.m. due to severe injuries on the chest and head.Based on the investigation conducted by the Cebu City Police Office homicide section, a neighbor of the victim saw Guinita and the gunman talking a few minutes before the shooting.

A certain Rose Tabago, a store owner, claimed that a man whom she believed to be gunman based on police descriptions, had informed her that a man was shot while pointing to the location of the incident. (FREEMAN)