"Masiao collector" shot dead

CEBU, Philippines - A collector of an illegal numbers game locally known as masiao was shot dead shortly before noon yesterday in barangay Ermita, Cebu City.

Narciso Cervantes Antopina, 42, from Sitio Barracks, of the said barangay, was shot while walking along Calderon Street at around 11am yesterday.

Homicide investigators still have no idea who the perpetrator was but they strongly believed that the motive of the killing might be because of his involvement in the rampant illegal gambling activities in the area.

SPO3 Rey Cuyos, homicide investigator, said there were several persons who witnessed the incident. However, none dared to cooperate in the investigation. “Daghan kaayo og tawo atong mga higayuna, wala gyu’y mi-cooperate sa among investigation, (There were so many people that time but nobody cooperated with our investigation.)” he said.

 Cuyos said the victim was walking along Calderon Street when an unidentified gunman armed with a handgun shot him on the head while witnesses scampered for cover. The victim then fell to the ground bathed in his own blood while the suspect fled on foot.

Only a deformed slug and an empty shell from a .45 pistol were recovered at the crime scene.

Responding policemen tried to pursue the gunman but to no avail.

Cuyos said no witnesses in the area testified or described the suspect’s features, but they would appeal to the victim’s family to reveal what they believed is the possible motive of the killing and the identity of the suspect.  (FREEMAN)