1 dead, another injured in indiscriminate firing

CEBU, Philippines - One died and another was injured when a man indiscriminately shooting at anyone he met while walking along the road in Mambaling, Cebu City last Tuesday evening.

Died of gunshot wounds in his chest was a trisikad driver, Fellboy Abella, 28, while Anastacio Depiga, an umbrella repairman, has sustained gunshot wounds on the right side of his face, arm and middle finger.

Depiga is said to be in critical condition while confined at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

The police is still clueless as to the identity of the gunman who was only described wearing a white shirt, a hat, and a medium built.  SPO4 Rey Cuyos, investigator of the homicide section of Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said they also do not have any idea on the motive of the shooting incident that happened past 11:00 in the evening.

Cuyos said that Depiga was just sleeping on a bench near the chapel in Avocado Street when the armed man arrived and shot him without any reason.

The man then proceeded and met Abella whom he shot dead and fled to unknown direction right after the incident.

Based on information given by barangay tanods in Mambaling, Cuyos said that Abella has been reportedly engaged in illegal drug trade before and he might have unsettled balances.

On Depiga’s case, Cuyos added that he might be a victim of mistaken identity.

Homicide personnel are yet to talk to the families of the victims for possible leads.

“Sa pagkakaron wala pa mi lead ani basta mao ra to involve sa drugs ang usa sa biktima basin ang pamilya dunay idea adto mi magsugod,” Cuyos said.

The other team of the homicide personnel tried to reach Abella’s family but his wife reportedly uncooperative.— (FREEMAN)