Man shot dead; epileptic man drowns in river

CEBU, Philippines - A man met his untimely death when an unidentified assailant shot him while he was walking on his way home in sitio Colo, Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City, at 1 am yesterday.

Romel Romero, 35, died of a gunshot wound in his back.

Eda Romero, 39, and elder sister of the victim, told police that she was sleeping in her house when a neighbor woke her up to inform her that her brother was sprawled dead outside.

Eda rushed outside and a few meters away, she saw her brother on the ground, already bloodied and dead.

Prior to the discovery, the victim was walking alone when an unidentified assailant suddenly shot him for no apparent reason, police said.

Meanwhile, a man who was allegedly suffering from epilepsy, was found floating dead in the river off Barangay Tubod, Sibonga town last Wednesday.

The victim, Feliciano Gripo, 30, reportedly asked permission from his father Selvino Gripo early that morning to take a bath in the river.

Around 8 am, barangay tanod Ireneo Quinto informed the elder Gripo that they found his son lying lifeless in the river.

The victim’s body was brought to Sibonga Police Station for autopsy examination at Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in Carcar City, but the father declined as he was allegedly convinced that his son drowned and that there was no foul play.

Police learned further that the victim, a basket maker, was suffering from epilepsy locally known as “patol” for almost ten months now. — (FREEMAN)