3 dead in separate shootings in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Two men died after they were shot by two unidentified assailants in Barangay Ocaña, Carcar City Wednesday night.

Joseph Abella, 44, and Ronnie Tagimacruz, 35, both residents of the place, died instantly of multiple gunshot wounds to their bodies.

Initial investigation revealed that Abella and Tagimacruz were talking outside the former’s house at about 8 p.m. when two assailants armed with a shotgun and a cal. 45 pistol came and opened fire at the victims.

The victims sustained fatal wounds to their bodies that resulted to their immediate death.

A concerned citizen called Carcar City Police Station and reported the incident.

Responding policemen saw Abella and Tagimacruz lying on the ground and rushed them to Cebu Provincial Hospital in Carcar City but the victims were pronounced dead on arrival.

Five empty shells from a cal. 45 pistol, two deformed slugs, a live round of a shotgun and two empty shells of a shotgun were recovered from the crime scene.

The police are confirming theories that the incident was drug-related while a hot pursuit operation is underway for the arrest of the culprits.

Meanwhile a 21-year-old man also died after he was shot in the head late Wednesday night in Barangay Baring, Carmen, Cebu.

Anjohn Bermejo died immediately of a gunshot wound to the head perpetrated by suspect, Junver Bejoc, 20.

According to the investigation, Bermejo was singing with his friends at a videoke house at around 11 p.m. when Bejoc arrived and shot the victim once before fleeing.

Minutes later, the suspect returned and tried to shoot again the dead body of the victim, but the latter’s friend, Roberto Cane, was able to disarm the Bejoc. The suspect ran away.

According to the police, the victim and the suspect had already been harboring a grudge against each other. They even allegedly figured in a fistfight before.

A manhunt operation is being conducted to capture the suspect.  (FREEMAN)