Couple shot dead in Talisay

CEBU, Philippines — A couple died on the spot after they were shot by men on a motorcycle around 4 a.m. yesterday morning along Rabaya Street, Sitio Matinagdanon, Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City.

The victims were identified as Felix Yares, 30, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, and Carol Dixie Bacalso, 28, resident of Barangay Tanke, both in Talisay City.

Chief Inspector Ardeolito Cabagnot, deputy chief of the Talisay City Police Station, said the couple was heading home from a restobar on their motorcycle when unidentified assailants riding another motorcycle shot them several times.

Both victims fell to the ground while the assailants fled.

Residents of the area heard several gunshots and called the police. A medical team from the Talisay Rescue Emergency Team arrived but found both victims already dead.

Responding policemen recovered six empty shells and three misfired .45 cal. rounds and another slug of undetermined caliber at the crime scene.

Cabagnot said they are looking into two angles behind the crime.

First, Yares had an argument with someone inside the restobar after his cellphone went missing. The argument allegedly resulted in a fight.

The other angle is Bacalso’s alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

Before they were killed Yares and Bacalso were having fun inside the bar. Yares’ friends still saw him singing in the bar live over social media before they left.

Meanwhile, a three-year-old girl was wounded after she was hit a by a stray bullet in Barangay Tapon, Dalaguete, last Saturday morning.

According to Dalaguete Police Station chief Roger Quijano, about 9 a.m. last Saturday, Xyllene Esto Pautan, was playing alone inside her parents’ house when neighbors suddenly heard a sudden gunshot.

The girl’s grandmother then found out that Xyllene had been wounded in the right arm. She was immediately rushed to the hospital.

Quijano said that as of press time they still do not have any update on her condition, but he assured the victim is not in critical condition.

He said that he believes the shooter was also just in the area based on the trajectory of the bullet. He said they have not recovered any empty shell or any other evidence that may lead to the shooter’s identity.

“Sa pagkakaron wala pa ta kahibaw kung kinsa ang nagpapusil kay nag-imbestigar pa ta karon,” Quijano said. —Mae Clydyl L. Avila/BRP (FREEMAN)