Security guard shot dead

CEBU, Philippines - Two unidentified men shot dead a security guard in an apparent case of mistaken identity late last Saturday night outside a mall at F. Ramos Street, Barangay Cogon-Ramos, Cebu City.

The victim was identified as Ritche Mancera, 38, married, a security guard connected with Cebu Niño Security Agency and detailed at the Rain Tree Mall. He is a native of Dumanjug, Cebu.

Investigation conducted by the Homicide Section showed that the victim, who was on duty the time of the attack, was sitting on his post outside the said mall at 11 p.m. when two men riding on a motorcycle stopped near him.

At this juncture, the back rider, who was armed with a gun, alighted and with no apparent reason shot the victim on his left forehead. A responding ambulance rushed the victim to the Cebu City Medical Center. At past 2 a.m., he was declared dead.

Police learned that prior to the incident, the victim’s relief guard on duty, Rolito Roliente, engaged in a heated argument with a man who parked his motorcycle at the nearby parking area of the mall.

The man was allegedly mad that the crash helmet he placed on his motorcycle was already missing, possibly stolen.

The argument between the two resulted in the man threatening Roliente. The man vowed to return.

Roliente said that shortly after he left the victim, who took over his post, he heard a burst of gunfire.

The police are still trying to identify the assailants.

They said the assailants, believed to be an ally of, or the man who earlier threatened Roliente, apparently mistook the victim as the surviving security guard. — (FREEMAN)