Couple shot, killed in ambush

CEBU, Philippines - A man and his live-in partner were shot dead last Wednesday night by two men on a motorcycle near a subdivision in Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City.

PO1 Winston Ybañez of the Lapu-Lapu City Police identified the fatalities as Petronilo Wagas, 37, and his live-in partner Esie Villegas, 40, both residents of Sitio Good Shepherd, Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City.

Police said the victims were on a multicab with license plate numbers CWS-339, driven by Wagas, on their way home.

Upon nearing Villa Magallanes Subdivision in Barangay Basak at around 11:30 p.m., a motorcycle with two men on board drove alongside the multicab.

The men fired at the two in the multicab before speeding off to Barangay Agus.

Wagas was shot in the head, neck and arms, while Villegas sustained gunshot wounds in her chest, arm and lower leg.

Police investigators PO2s Winston Ybañez and Franklin Bulaquia found seven empty shells and two slugs of .45 cal. pistol, a paper bag and a holster at the crime scene.

Security guard Edgar Perez, who was assigned to the subdivision, said both assailants wore full-face helmets and were riding what appeared to be a black Honda TMX motorcycle.

Anita Roble, the elder sister of Villegas, recalled that Villegas assisted a female neighbor, who was beaten by another female neighbor, in filing a complaint with the barangay several months ago.

The offending woman’s husband allegedly threatened that anybody who stands as witness against them will get bullets in the head.

This threat was reported to a barangay tanod.

Police looked for the neighbor in conflict with the woman but they were not home according to the caretaker of their house, police plan to invite them to the police station to shed light on the incident.

Police also found a threatening text message in Villegas’ cellular phone. —/BRP (FREEMAN)