'Illegal activities' eyed in shooting of councilman

CEBU, Philippines - Alleged involvement in illegal activities is eyed as the possible reason for the shooting of a barangay councilman and his cousin in Barangay Canhabagat, Medellin last Monday.

Chief Insp. Laurel Almirante, Medellin police chief, said they are trying to locate Pajo, Daanbantayan councilman Alvic Inot, for further investigation after he reportedly discharged from the Bogo Provincial Hospital where he was rushed due to a gunshot wound in the right leg.

“Wa ma’y laing makatubag sa among mga pa-ngutana siya ra gyud kay posible kaila ra to niya (He is the only one who can answer our questions because it is possible that he knew the suspects),” Almirante said in a phone interview.

Police believed that personal grudge may be the motive but they are yet to determine which of his alleged illegal activities caused the crime.

Almirante said that Inot was allegedly involved in illegal drugs and cockfighting both in the towns of Daanbantayan and Medellin.

“Sa akong nahibaw-an gi-ban na ni siya sa mga buwangan. (I heard he was already banned from the cockpits),” Almirante said.

Almirante said they received information that Inot was criminally charged for allegedly killing a policeman years ago but the case was dismissed.

Gunmen shot Inot, of Barangay Pajo, and his cousin, Feljun Arrabis, 27, of Barangay Taytay, Daanbanta-yan. Arrabis succumbed to two gunshot wounds to the back of his body.

The shooting also injured George Camay, 29, of Caputatan Sur, Medellin, who had one gunshot wound to the back of his body.

The victims were rushed to the Bogo Provincial Hospital but Arrabis did not get there alive.

The victims reportedly came from the house of William Mercader, an alleged drug pusher in the said place, when they were shot by two unidentified men. — (FREEMAN)