Riders shoot man dead

CEBU, Philippines - A man with a string of police records was shot dead yesterday afternoon at S. Osmeña corner R. Palma streets, Barangay San Roque, Cebu City.

Joselito Ancajas Ramirez, a resident of the same barangay but a native of Barangay Kawit, Medellin town, was identified by investigators based on a copy of a promulgation recovered from his wallet.

According to the copy, the victim was acquitted for a drug case last Aug. 5 last year by Regional Trial Court Branch 57 Judge Enriqueta Belarmino.

PO3 Victor Ayuman, Cebu City Police Office Homicide Section investigator, said two unidentified men on board a motorcycle shot the victim at around 2:30 p.m.

He said that Ramirez was lighting a cigarette when the motorcycle suddenly stopped in front of him. The man riding pillion reportedly pulled out a gun and shot the victim at close range.

Ramirez slumped face down on the sidewalk as the motorcycle immediately sped off toward the North Reclamation Area. Recovered from the crime scene were two empty .45 cal. shells.

PO3 Geoffrey Gutual, who also investigated the incident, said it is too early to conclude he was killed by the so-called vigilantes operating in Cebu City.

“Sayo pa kaayo. Wala pa mi naka-interview sa mga saksi kay mora’g shocked pa gihapon sila. But di gihapon na nato tangtangon nga posibilidad,” Gutual said.  

A neighbor of Ramirez claimed the victim was a drug addict and that three years ago, the victim went amok in their barangay armed with an Ingram submachine gun and a grenade.

“Moanha ra na siya sa lugar aron mosuyop. Kun ma-high na siya sa drogas, magwala dayon na siya diha,” she said.

Ramirez was arrested in their same barangay, four years ago by the Mobile Patrol Group and the Special Weapons and Tactics for an armed person alarm. When the police arrived, Ramirez quickly hid in his house but police eventually arrested him. – (FREEMAN)