Drive-by shootings: Nabbed hitman tagged suspect

CEBU, Philippines - At least nine people surfaced and positively identified alleged Bloods gang hitman Rhene “Insik” Baclaan as triggerman in several drive-by shooting incidents in Cebu City since last year.

This developed as charges have been filed yesterday against Baclaan and another shooting suspect, Arnel Gomez, before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.

Baclaan, 22, of Sitio Suran, Barangay Quiot, and Gomez, 34, of Balagtas Street, Barangay Pahina Central are now facing cases on illegal possession of firearms.

After he was presented to the media by police on Monday as alleged triggerman in string of drive-by attacks in Barangay Guadalupe, Bulacao, and Kinasang-an, the nine witnesses came forward to identify him.

In the Kinasang-an attack, two minors recognized Baclaan as responsible for the shooting through his distinctive long hair and tattoo.

One of the witnesses, a 17-year-old boy, said he saw the “Bloods” tattoo on Baclaan’s chest. “I saw him when he (Baclaan) shot my friend,” he said.  

The other 16-year-old witness claimed Baclaan has been terrorizing youngsters in the area.

 Another witness, a man whose son was allegedly killed by Baclaan on New Year’s Day in Barangay Labangon, could not hold back his tears upon seeing Baclaan at the Cebu City Police Office.

He said his son, Jerwin, who was sitting on a gutter talking with his friends, was suddenly shot by Baclaan, who was riding a motorcycle, around 3:30 a.m.

Jerwin was confined at the hospital where he died six days after the shooting.

Jerwin’s friend, who was near the victim when he was shot, described the assailant as Chinese-looking with white complexion and long hair, which fit Baclaan’s profile.     

A few meters from where Jerwin was shot, a 44-year-old balut vendor, who was eating siomai, was also shot allegedly by Baclaan but was not hit.

“I stopped on a stall to eat when he (Baclaan) passed and fired shots. I immediately recognized him onboard a motorcycle because he is my neighbor in Barangay Quiot,” the vendor told The FREEMAN.  

Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, chief of intelligence of CCPO, said they would file the necessary charges against Baclaan based on affidavits from witnesses.

Santander said they will file multiple murder and frustrated murder charges against Baclaan today.  

Baclaan was tagged in three separate drive-by shooting incidents in which several members of Crips, a rival of Bloods, were reportedly the victims. 

He was arrested last Thursday by the police in his hideout after he fled to Talisay City and Minglanilla town.

Aside from Baclaan, police are also looking for three other men whom the police believe to be his cohorts. During the inquest proceedings yesterday, Baclaan chose not to file counter-affidavit on the illegal possession of firearms charges filed against him.

Prosecutor Alex Gabud then recommended the filing of the case before the court.

Meanwhile, Prosecutor Maria Theresa Casiño gave Gomez five days to file his counter-affidavit. This after Gomez signed a waiver for his detention.

Gomez was allegedly hired to kill Barangay Intelligence Network member Catalino Entoma Jr. and former police asset Michael Moralde.

He was arrested by the police who recovered .45 caliber pistol from his possession. -/LPM (FREEMAN)