Man shot dead, robbery eyed

CEBU, Philippines - A man was found dead in SitioWa-ug, Barangay Cambinocot, Cebu City early morning last Monday.

The victim was identified as Noel Ardita, 39, married, and a resident of the area, was believed to have been robbed before he was shot in the head.

Senior Police Officer 2 Wetzel Berry, investigator in the Homicide Section of the Cebu City Police Office, said at around 6 a.m. last Monday, a certain Joseph Bagano, also a resident of the area, discovered the body of Ardita while leading his cow to pasture.

Bagano immediately asked for help from the barangay tanods in the area.

Berry said based on the information they received, the victim was usually seen with a sling bag containing money and a handgun.

He said these past few days the victim was always searching for money to bail his brother out of the jail after his brother was arrested by the Cebu City Public Safety Company personnel for drugs.

Police investigation revealed that the night before the victim was found dead, he was on his way to his poultry farm located at a sparsely populated area in their barangay. Berry said it was possible his assailants were already waiting for him.

Ardita was killed by a single gunshot to the head from a .45 cal. pistol fired at close range.

Berry said they have not found the sling bag which Ardita reportedly always brought with him, giving rise to the possibility the motive behind his killing was robbery. But he said they are also considering the possibility of personal grudge.  — (FREEMAN)