Cigarette vendor shot to death in Aloguinsan

CEBU, Philippines - A 36-year-old cigarette vendor was shot dead by an unknown gunman while inside the house last Friday, a few minutes before 10:00 in the evening in Sitio Galo, Barangay Bonbon, Aloguinsan.

Police are still clueless on the identity of Victor Tausa’s killer. Tausa had no derogatory records at the police station and no enemies in the place.

Tausa succumbed to two gunshot wounds in his abdomen which caused his death. He was first rushed to the Pinamungajan District Hospital and was later referred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

However, Tausa was declared dead by the attending physician at the VSMMC early morning yesterday.

Insp. Jorge Macapobre , Aloguinsan police chief, said Tausa was watching television inside his house when somebody outside the house called him.

Thinking that the man calling would buy cigarettes, Tausa opened the door and was about to go out when he was shot twice.

Police recovered two empty shells of .45 pistol believed to be owned by the assailant. Macapobre suspected that there could be someone who envied Tausa or he may have made a joke that hurt someone’s feelings.

He added that they are yet to invite the sister of Tausa to extract statement for possible leads.

Meanwhile, none was injured in a shootout between police and two unidentified men on the National Highway of Sitio Guimbal, Barangay Canamucan, Compostela around 10:14 in the evening last Friday.

SPO1 Larry Fernandez and PO2 Fedilito Jopia were reportedly conducting preventive patrol in the area using a PNP Toyota Hilux bearing plate number SJG-988 when they noticed two suspicious men along the road.

The police asked what they were doing, but instead of answering, both men immediately boarded a black-colored Honda motorcycle without a plate number.

A brief chase ensued when the back rider of the motorcycle pulled out an undetermined caliber of firearm and shot at the policemen five times.

Fortunately, only the plate number of the PNP vehicle was hit.This prompted PO2 Jopia to return fire twice but missed. They then radioed for back up as assailants sped off towards Danao City.  (FREEMAN)