Brgy councilman cheats death thrice

CEBU, Philippines - Barangay San Roque councilman Bobby Morados escaped an attempt on his life yesterday morning after he managing to evade three gunshots fired at him in Logarta Street, Sitio Ponting, Barangay San Roque, Cebu City.

The councilman was attacked by two motorcycle-riding gunmen early morning yesterday in front of his store and hit a woman.

Morados just came from Carbon public market to buy some supplies for his store when two men on a motorcycle stopped near him and the back rider pointed a gun.  

“Akong tuo una, nga binuang ra kay pag-una og pusil wala man mi buto unya wala man mi-katawa ang mi-pusil apan pag-ikaduha diha na ko mi-hupo,” he said.

Upon seeing that the gunman was about to fire again, Morados rolled twice on the pavement, seeking cover and dodging two more shots from the unknown assailant.

While the victim managed to dodge all three shots fired at him, Josephine Sanjorjo, 52, of creek side Barangay Zapatera, Cebu City was not lucky enough and was hit by a stray bullet while buying a pair of slippers from Morados’ store.

Sanjorjo sustained a lone gunshot wound on her back and was immediately rushed to Cebu City Medical Center for treatment.

Residents in the area scampered for safety when they heard succeeding gun bursts coming from the unknown assailant who was wearing a black jacket.

Bystanders said the assailant is estimated to be around 27 years old.  

Cebu City Police Office homicide investigator PO3 Wetzel Berry told The FREEMAN they are looking at several angles regarding Morados’ failed attack.

They are looking into the possibility that the attack might be related to the case involving the death of his son Lawrence who was shot in the evening of October 4, 2007.

The police later identified the alleged Alpha Kappa Rho hitman Aristotle Aves and his companion, Jesus Singson as the ones responsible for shooting Lawrence dead.

An eyewitness alleged that she saw Singson driving a motorcycle with Aves who fired at Lawrence who was also on a motorcycle. After the shooting, Singson and Aves allegedly sped off towards D. Jakosalem Street.

Aside from Lawrence, two others were also killed on that same night. The fatalities were identified as William John Aznar Jr. and Lord Stephen Vasquez. Rendon Pelliren was also seriously wounded during the incident.

Singson and Aves fled towards barangay Sambag-I where they allegedly shot Aznar, Vasquez and Pelliren.

Homicide investigators are still exploring their leads regarding the recent attack which almost killed another member of the Morados family. — (FREEMAN)