Two men shoot "robber" dead

CEBU, Philippines - Alleged notorious robber, Michael Reyes, who was arrested by the police early this year but later released on bail, was shot dead yesterday along Echavez St., Barangay Lorega-San Miguel, Cebu City.

Reyes, who posted a P300,000 bail for his temporary freedom, was shot by an unknown assailant while he was inside a taxi together with his friend, Ray Vincent Aquino, 41, of the said barangay at around 12:45 a.m.

Reyes succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds to the head and body.

Senior Insp. Jull Mohammad Jamiri, Cebu City Police Office homicide section chief, said drugs appear to be the motive behind the attack.

He said they received reports that Reyes reportedly embezzled P150,000 worth of drugs. This was reportedly confirmed by Aquino, who clarified that it was only P120,000 worth of drugs. 

Aquino said Reyes just arrived to fetch him and they hailed a taxi at the corner Echavez and Lorega streets shortly before the attack.

As the taxi started to move, an unknown man came up and shot Reyes who was in the front seat. 

Taxi driver Jose Heredie, 43, of Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City, said the assailant appeared to be new to killing because he struggled to pull out a .45 cal. pistol from his pants.

After the assailant shot Reyes, Heredie escaped from the taxi. Aquino pulled the wounded Reyes to the back seat and fled from the left passenger door.

Reyes then tried to get out from the vehicle from the right passenger door but the assailant was waiting for him and shot him in the head. Reyes died, slumped at the edge of the backseat half-in and half-out of the vehicle.

The assailant immediately fled onboard a waiting motorcycle toward the downtown area.

Arleen Doble, 36, of Barangay Lorega-San Miguel, a coconut juice vendor, said she fled together with her three children when Reyes was attacked.

She said the assailants escaped on a red motorcycle, the assailant was wearing a red shirt while the motorcycle driver was in a white shirt.

Reyes was arrested last January 3 for theft, drugs and illegal possession of firearms with Edward Teves.

Reyes is blamed for allegedly robbing numerous establishments in Metro Cebu.  (FREEMAN)