Man cleared in murder case shot

CEBU, Philippines - A man earlier convicted then later cleared of the murder of a photojournalist is now fighting for his life after he was shot by two men yesterday morning in Barangay Cawayan, Dalaguete town.

Edgar Tapales Belandres, 47, was attacked by two unidentified men riding in tandem on a red scooter and wearing full-face helmets.

Based on the investigation, the victim was sitting outside his house in Sitio Panukdokan chatting with his relatives around 8:30 a.m. yesterday when the assailants arrived and the man riding pillion opened fire at him.

SPO1 Veronico Sentino of the Dalaguete Police Station said the assailants were really targeting the victim, considering the direct attack on Belandres who had other people around him.

The victim was shot four times in the chest and abdomen.

The two assailants sped off while the victim was rushed to the Cardinal Rosales Hospital in the same town. He was later transferred to a hospital in Cebu City because of his critical condition.

Responding policemen recovered a slug and four empty shells of a .45 cal. pistol from the crime scene.

Sentino said the investigators are still gathering more details in the incident to determine the motive behind the attack.

Belandres was sentenced to life imprisonment last January 19, 2006 for the murder of The FREEMAN staff photographer and BANAT News reporter Alan Dizon last November 27, 2004.

Judge Ireneo Lee Gako of the Regional Trial Court Branch 5 convicted him following testimonies of three prosecution witnesses who were reportedly along Soriano St. when Dizon was shot.

In March last year, the Court of Appeals set aside Gako’s decision and acquitted Belandres of the crime. The CA was convinced that the prosecution failed to establish the guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Meanwhile, two men were shot yesterday in front of a videoke bar along Natalio Bacalso Ave., Barangay Pardo, Cebu City.

The two victims were identified as Eleler Anailab, 37; and his relative Elmer Anailab, 45, both residents of Sitio Tabucanal of the same barangay who sustained several gunshots wounds.

Cebu City Police Office homicide investigator PO3 Geoffrey Gutual said the incident was the result of a heated argument between the victims’ nephew, Renante Suminguit, 24, and the alleged assailants. 

According to Gutual, Suminguit said that four men reportedly argued with him over the videoke machine.

At the height of the argument, Suminguit was wrestled by one of the assailants which prompted the victim’s uncles to come to his aid.

As they were approaching, one of the assailants pulled out a gun, and opened fired at Eleler and Elmer who slumped bloodied to the floor. The assailants immediately fled.

The two victims were rushed to Cebu City Medical Center where they are currently recuperating. (FREEMAN)