Caroler shot dead; habal-habal driver shot, critical

CEBU, Philippines - While most were enjoying the yuletide season, a caroler and a habal-habal driver were shot in two separate incidents in Cebu City in the past days. One died while the other remains in critical condition.

Ramh Mendez Vicar, 18, and Roy Wagas, 31, were both enjoying the yuletide season when they both met death on the streets.

Vicar, of Sitio Lawis, Barangay Mambaling, died after he was shot dead by his neighbor who was only identified as a certain “Junior” shortly before 8 p.m. on Saturday.

Investigators said that before the shooting, the victim was with several friends caroling within their neighborhood when he came across the suspect’s son who was playing with other kids.

An altercation reportedly ensued between Vicar and the suspect’s son. Said to have lost in their argument, the boy ran home distressed and immediately sought help from his father.

Junior allegedly confronted Vicar and later pulled out an unidentified firearm and shot the victim three times.

The victim, who slumped bloodied on the floor, sustained two gunshot wounds on his chest and another on his lower left eye.

Junior immediately fled back to his house while Vicar, aided by neighbors and friends, died on his way to the Cebu City Medical Center. The police immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation but only a deformed slug was recovered from the crime scene.

Meanwhile, Wagas, a habal-habal driver from Sitio Mapa, Barangay Tagbao, on the other hand, was only sleeping on a bamboo bench when an unknown gunman suddenly shot him on the head at 2 a.m. yesterday.

Rolly Flores, the victim’s cousin said that the victim just came from a benefit dance shortly before he was shot.

He said that while the victim was asleep, the unknown gunman suddenly approached Wagas and shot him on the left temple.

The gunman reportedly fled while the victim’s relatives rushed to the scene.

The bloodied victim was rushed to CCMC where he is currently in critical condition.  (FREEMAN)