Municipal worker shot dead, cook hacks eatery owner

CEBU, Philippines - A municipal worker was shot pointblank on the head while walking along Sanciangko Street, Barangay Pahina Central, Cebu City.

Alejandro Catulpos, 38, of Barangay Pasol, Alcoy town, Cebu, was shot dead by an unidentified gunman yesterday at around 2 am.

Cebu City Police Office homicide investigator PO3 Dario Manatad told The FREEMAN that Catulpos was tailed by his assailant, onboard a motorcycle, before he was killed.

He said the motorcycle reportedly stopped a few meters from the victim who was walking. The gunman then pulled out an unidentified firearm and shot Catulpos.

Pedestrians scampered for cover after the lone gunshot reverberated in the neighborhood. The victim fell bloodied on his side until the police arrived.

 After shooting the victim once, the gunman boarded his motorcycle and sped off towards the Tabo-an area. 

 Despite the intensified police visibility for the recently concluded Sinulog celebrations, the hot pursuit operation conducted by elements of the CCPO Mobile Patrol Group and Motorcops yielded no suspects.

 Only an empty shell believed to be from a .45 caliber pistol was recovered from the crime scene.

 Catulpos’ body was brought to the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes for a post mortem examination.

 Manatad said that shortly before noon yesterday, a police representative from the Alcoy Police Station arrived at the CCPO homicide office and gave investigators valuable information on the suspect’s background.

 He said that Catulpos was described by the policeman from Alcoy, as very active in the said municipality.  

 Manatad added that their counterparts gave them vital information which gave them fresh leads regarding the victim’s death.

 “We can’t disclose the information yet, because we still need to verify it,” Manatad further said.

 Meanwhile, Irene Nathalie Batad, 26, an eatery owner of Nanay’s Grill located along Jasmine Street, Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City, was hacked by her long time cook yesterday.

 Investigators said the victim was attending to her guest when the suspect, Antonio Bello Sr., 67, a stay-in worker suddenly got irked, sneaked behind the victim and hacked her.

 The victim sustained lacerations mostly on her head and was rushed to Chong Hua Hospital.

 Customers of the eatery pacified and mauled the suspect until the police arrived at the crime scene.

 He was also brought to Cebu City Medical Center due to multiple contusions on different parts of the body. 

 Police investigation revealed that personal grudge was the motive behind the attack. (FREEMAN)