'Notorious thief' shot dead in Cordova

CEBU, Philippines - A man was shot dead within the premises of a house located at the back of the Cordova Central School in Barangay Poblacion, Cordova town shortly before midnight last Saturday.

Christian Pitogo, 20, of Barangay Cogon, succumbed to two gunshot wounds at the back of his head. He died instantly.

SPO1 Danny Alburo of the Cordova Police Station said it was the school’s security guard, Ronillo Baguio, who heard two bursts of gunfire coming from the house, prompting him to inform the caretaker, Roquelan Quirong, who lives nearby.

The house is owned by one Jevee Reyes who has married a foreigner.

Alburo said Pitogo was already sprawled on the ground under the structure supporting the water at Reyes’ compound residence when Baguio arrived.

Alburo said Pitogo was a known thief at the place and was also reportedly into drugs. Last Holy Week, he was arrested for stealing an amplifier and a sound box but no case was filed against him because no one was willing to testify.

“During interrogation nitug-an man siya nga tigamitan siya og drugs,” Alburo said in a phone interview.

Alburo said it is possible that the shooting is connected to Pitogo’s decision to testify against one of his usual companions in a theft case.

“Possible lang nga nahibaw-an nga ni-testigo ni siya (Pitogo) maong gipusil,” the police said.

Meanwhile, in Cebu City, a factory worker was injured after sustaining a gunshot wound on his right leg.

The victim, Archie Toledo, 25, told authorities he was standing in front of his boarding house along Manalili Street in Barangay Sto. Niño at 6am yesterday when he heard a burst of gunfire.

He then felt pain on his right leg and found out he has been hit by a bullet. He immediately hailed a taxi and proceeded to the Cebu City Medical Center.

Toledo said it is possible that what hit him was a stray bullet. The police are currently investigating if the theory is true.

Toledo is a native of Butuan City. — (FREEMAN)