Shootings kill 2 men

CEBU, Philippines - An alleged gun-for-hire personality and a suspected drug trader were shot dead in separate shooting incidents in Cebu City.

Al John Ala, 34, died on the spot after he was shot by unidentified suspects at Sitio Back Rubber, Barangay Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City yesterday dawn.

The police who responded to alarm disco-vered the lifeless body of the victim, lying on a prone position at the interior portion of the said area. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the head and arm.   Cebu City Police Office Homicide Investigator Senior Police Officer 1 Ruth Violango said Ala was reportedly involved in gun-for-hire activities.

She added that even the victim’s wife, Kristy, confirmed that she heard rumors tagging her husband as a gun-for-hire.

Ala and his wife, however, had already been separated.

It appeared that Ala was being chased and shot before he fell to the ground where he was found by authorities, investigation revealed.

While there was no witness who surfaced to testify on the incident, residents in the area claimed they have heard three to four gunshots.

A deformed slug of undetermined firearm and a driver’s license were reco-vered from the crime scene.

Violango said they have traced the blood stains at the crime scene and it showed that Ala was shot about 50 meters away from where he was found and where he ran while already wounded.

“Naay posibilidad nga nag-unayay ra pud sila sa laing gun-for-hire or grupo. Basin personal grudge,” she said, adding that the victim was a former security guard.

Meanwhile, a certain “Juncas” Cabigas, who is believed to be in his 40s, was also shot dead by an unidentified suspect in Sitio Lo-wer San Roque, Barangay Bulacao, Cebu City Wednesday evening.

Cabigas, who was residing in Barangay Labangon, Cebu City, was found lifeless, lying on his back in an open shanty.

He suffered from multiple gunshot wounds on his head, back and arm that resulted to his death.

Initial investigation showed that the victim went to the area for a spider fight. 

Four empty shells, apparently of .45 cal. pistol, and live ammunition were recovered from the crime scene.

Renato Villaver, a resident in the area, alleged that he was sitting beside the victim when an unidentified man appeared and shot the victim several times.

The suspect was described to stand about 5’7” and was wearing black jacket and a black bonnet.

Grendel Anudling, a habal-habal driver and a friend of the victim, claimed that Cabigas was formerly involved in illegal drug trade.  (FREEMAN)