Bullet-riddled body found; teenager shot to the face

CEBU, Philippines – A man was found dead with several gunshot wounds to his face and body, Friday in Barangay Bugas, Badian town.

The fatality was identified as 24-year-old Ducares Caballero, of Barangay Poblacion, who allegedly worked part time as a niche cleaner at the town’s public cemetery.

Senior Police Officer 2 Jeremias Elardo of Badian Police Station said they received a call from someone regarding the bullet-riddled body and responded to the area immediately.

As per account of residents in the area, Elardo said, they heard bursts of gunfire at around 10:30 the previous night.

Nobody dared to go out to find out what happened until Caballero’s dead body was found early Friday morning.

Elardo said Caballero suffered gunshot wounds to the right side of his face, stomach, right leg and to his body near the right armpit.

The police recovered six empty shells of a cal. 9mm pistol not far from the body.

Based on the evidence, the gunman shot the victim at close range, said Elardo.

He said they are still gathering information and witnesses to help identify the suspect and his motive in killing the victim.

Meanwhile, a 16-year-old boy landed in the hospital after he was shot in the face by an unidentified person on Friday night in Barangay Rizal, Pinamungajan town.

Initial investigation revealed that the boy was heading home past 7 p.m. when he was waylaid by an unidentified person.

Relatives of the boy brought the victim to the town’s district hospital.

The victim was transferred to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City for further treatment. —/NSA (FREEMAN)