2 men killed in separate incidents

CEBU, Philippines - A man was stabbed to death while another was shot dead in separate incidents in Cebu City yesterday morning.

In the first incident, a man was stabbed dead by an unknown assailant while he was having a drinking session with his friend at Sitio Lower Tanay, Barangay Pit-os, Cebu City at about 1:00 in the morning yesterday.

Reynaldo “Waray” Gavial, 51, was found lying on the ground near his house with multiple stab wounds in his body.

His live-in partner, 53-year-old Leonisa Opendo, said she left Gavial in their house drinking with Jerry Erana.

She said she went to Sitio Binaliw II to attend its annual fiesta celebration but when she got home at about 1:00 in the morning, Erana met her and informed her that Gavial was already dead.

Police Officer 3 Geofrey Gutual said they will invite Erana for questioning today.

“Nagduda mi ani niya kay pag-abot sa pulis ngadto wala man ni siya (He was suspiciously absent when the police arrived),” Gutual said.

Gavial’s remains now lies at the St. Francis Funeral Homes along N. Bacalso Ave., Cebu City.

About seven hours later, a laborer was shot dead by an unidentified man while walking along Unit III Carbon, Barangay Ermita.

Gutual said that Rodrigo “Egoy” Abatol, 38, of L. Flores St., Barangay Pasil, succumbed to a gunshot wound at the back of his head.

Gutual added that Abatol was walking that morning when the unidentified gunman tailed him and shot him pointblank.

Police suspect a personal grudge as motive behind the killing.

“Mangubitay man gud ni siya og tinda sa Carbon pareha anang prutas (We got information he used to steal some goods at the Carbon area, like fruits),” Gutual said.

He added that the gunman fled on foot, wearing a baseball cap. — (FREEMAN)