‘Drug pusher’ guns down ‘enemy’

CEBU, Philippines - A man was gunned down by an alleged illegal drug pusher at Highway 77, Barangay Talamban, Cebu City yesterday dawn.

Ronald Tejano, 43, died of gunshot wounds to his body, back, and head.

He was reportedly shot by Oliver Salazar, who was arrested yesterday afternoon.

Salazar was allegedly harboring a grudge against the victim, said Lelani Laresma, 23, the victim’s live-in partner.

Police investigation showed that Tejano and Laresma were on their way home around 2:30 a.m. yesterday when they met Salazar.

Laresma said she greeted Salazar but he did not reply. Instead, the suspect allegedly pulled out a gun from his waistline and suddenly shot Tejano three times.

She allegedly tried to stop the suspect and begged him not the kill the victim, but Salazar continued to shoot Tejano until the latter died.

After the shooting incident, Salazar reportedly fled towards the interior portion of the area and boarded a red motorcycle bearing plate number 1138TY, which was driven by Mark Antony Luchan.

Personnel of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation responded to the area but Tejano was already dead.

Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 arrested Salazar in sitio Cabacayan, Barangay Pit-os at around 2 p.m. yesterday. A cal. 45 pistol was recovered from the suspect.

According to Laresma, Salazar has suspected Tejano beforehand to be responsible if he gets caught for his illegal activities.

She added that they already reported the suspect to Talamban Police Station last March 6 for stabbing Tejano, who was injured in his left knee.

The getaway motorcycle used by the suspects was recovered by personnel of the Cebu City Police Office Homicide Section and Talamban Police Station near Luchan’s residence.

The police also found three empty shells apparently from a cal. 45 pistol at the crime scene.

The body of Tejano was brought to St. Francis Funeral Homes for autopsy. —/NSA (FREEMAN)