Woman shot dead, one other hurt by stray bullet

CEBU, Philippines - A 33-year-old woman died after she was shot several times by unidentified perpetrators past 5 p.m. last Saturday in Sitio Yellowbell, Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City.

Leah Abella, 33, sustained multiple gunshot wounds on her body and was brought to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

In an interview with homicide investigator Senior Police Officer 1 Ruth Violango, she said Abella was inside the house of a certain Roy Dayono, 33, when unidentified men shot her several times.

Dayono, who was not in his residence at the time of the shooting, immediately rushed to his house upon learning of the incident and saw the victim lying on the floor covered with blood but was still alive.

He immediately called for assistance from the Cebu City Emergency Medical Services but reportedly took some time to respond.

While waiting for help, the victim allegedly asked Dayono several times to take care of her two-year-old child.

“Sige siya’g ingon, ayaw pasagdai akong anak,” Violango said.

Violango said that based on Dayono’s account, the victim goes to his house everyday where she leaves her child, whom she picks up at night.

Violango said that little is known on the victim’s personal background since Dayono does not know where she lives in the city or where she comes from.

However, Violango said that they recovered an old birth certificate stating that her birthplace is in Butuan City, Mindanao. Police also found a Barangay Clearance issued at Barangay Maño, San Remigio town. 

Homicide investigators are still puzzled on the victim’s identity, especially after they found several SIM cards inside a steel case, said Violango, who added that they still do not have leads as to the identity of the suspects and the motive of the crime.

Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Homicide investigators recovered four empty shells of a .45 caliber pistol, a sling bag, and P750 cash from the victim.

Meanwhile a 21-year-old South Korean national was injured after he was hit by a stray bullet while sitting outside a convenience store along General Maxilom Avenue, Cebu City past 1a.m. on Saturday.

Taeyoung Kang of Seoul South Korea, sustained an injury on the right side of his body above his waist after he was hit by a stray bullet.

Initial investigation revealed that the victim and his friends were drinking outside a convenience store with his friends when the victim suddenly felt the pain above his waist.

When he checked, he discovered that he was already wounded and found a slug under his chair.

He was brought to Cebu City Medical Center for immediate medical treatment.    (FREEMAN)