Two men shot dead in separate incidents

CEBU, Philippines - Two people were shot dead, including a man who is facing a string of criminal complaints, in separate incidents last Monday.

Gerry Laguna, 21, of Barangay Sacsac, Dalaguete succumbed to two gunshot wounds in the chest and stomach.

Laguna was reportedly mulcting money from habal-habal drivers at the Poblacion, Dalaguete when a motorcycle-riding gunman shot him twice. He was seen drinking liquor with his brother before the shooting.

Senior Police Officer 1 Veronico Centino said personal grudge could be the motive behind the killing because the victim was facing a string of criminal complaints before the prosecutor's office and even in court.

Laguna was previously charged with direct assault after he alleged engaged in a shootout with the members of the town police last year.

Centino said that his colleagues responded to a shooting alarm when Laguna, who was accused of shooting a certain Francing Gamboa, fired at the responding policemen.

The shooting of Laguna was allegedly caught on closed circuit television camera but the footage was not clear, making it difficult for police investigators to identify the gunman.

In another incident, a "trisikad" driver was shot dead in Barangay Pasil, Cebu City.

Felipe Pancho, 34, resident of Barangay Mambaling, was waiting for passengers at the Forbes Bridge along Tupas Street when the suspects, Emmanuel Orongan and a certain James Taga fired at him several times.

Pancho was hit in the head, right eyebrow, and left leg. He was brought to Cebu City Medical Center where he was declared dead on arrival.

The suspects fled but Orongan was arrested in a hot pursuit operation conducted by the members of the San Nicolas Police Station. The police recovered seven empty shells of .45 caliber and a cellphone from Orongan. His companion remains at large. — (FREEMAN)