Man shot; student injured after playing with ammo

CEBU, Philippines - A 59-year-old man is in critical condition after he was shot by an unidentified assailant at Upper Manol, Barangay Tisa, Cebu City on Sunday dawn.

The victim, identified as Matias Lopez, also from Barangay Tisa, was shot by an unknown assailant at around 2 a.m. last Sunday but relatives of the victim reported to the authorities hours after the incident.

Prior to the incident, Lopez was having a drinking session with Bimbo Barcelona, 48, with others in said area.

After the drinking session and after playing a card game locally known as “tong-its,” the victim reportedly left them to pay his debts at a nearby store.

Minutes later, a single gunshot was heard in the neighborhood. When residents checked, the victim was seen bloodied and slumped on the ground in a pool of blood.

His assailant immediately fled after shooting the victim. Lopez was rushed to Cebu City Medical Center for medical attention. The victim’s attending physician said Lopez was in critical condition after discovering that he was shot in the head. 

Cebu City Police Office homicide investigator Insp. Alex Dacua told The FREEMAN they are currently considering that a personal grudge may have led to the shooting.

“Dako ang ilang pagduda nga personal ang motibo sa krimen tungod kay naa man na siya’y hantakan duol sa ilang balay. Tingali pud ug naa’y nag dumot niya sa ilang lugar kay may pagka-siga man pud na siya didto,” Dacua said.

Meanwhile, Jerry Emit, 25, a 4th year criminology student was “accidentally” shot while allegedly playing with live ammunition yesterday

Dacua who also investigated the incident said the victim was having a drinking session at Sanchez Compound in Barangay Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City at around 3 a.m.

The victim’s common law wife, Celeste De Garcia, 28, said that the victim was with several friends at the house of a certain Bonjing when the incident happened.

In the middle of their drinking session, the victim’s friend reportedly played with the live ammunition by pounding them.

Unfortunately, one of the ammunition reportedly exploded and accidentally hit the victim on the stomach. He was rushed immediately to Chong Hua Hospital for medical treatment and reportedly underwent surgery.

Dacua said that there was indeed an accidental firing in the area. However, the victim, his common-law wife, and friends did not cooperate with their investigation.  

“Ang live-in partner sa biktima dili mo-cooperate sa mga kapulisan, unya ang iyang mga ka-inom, wala na nag pakita,” he said.

“Dili gyud ko motoo nga nag dok-dok sila sa bala nga mi-cause sa pagbuto. Nag duda mi nga nag duwa-duwa sila og pusil sulod sa balay,” he added.   - (THE FREEMAN)