Policemen in pursuit of shooting suspect

CEBU, Philippines — A hot pursuit operation is now ongoing against the suspect behind the shooting and stabbing of a 34-year-old mechanic in Barangay Sillon, Bantayan town, Cebu, on Thursday night, March 19.

According to the Bantayan Municipal Police Station, the victim was identified as Ricky Deo Sevilleno, while the alleged suspect was identified as 34-year-old Lyndon Paran Bacunas. Both are neighbors residing in the said barangay.

Investigation revealed that around 7:53 p.m., the station received a call from a concerned citizen about a shooting incident, prompting authorities to immediately respond to the area.

However, when police arrived at the scene, the victim was already found lying covered in blood. Based on autopsy results, he died from a single gunshot wound to his left cheek, and a total of seven stab wounds to his body—four in the back and three in the front of his chest.

According to Police Lieutenant Aldrin Villacampa, officer-in-charge of Bantayan Police, personal grudge is believed to be the motive for the crime.

He revealed that Sivelleno was a former employee at the motorcycle shop owned by Bacunas. But there came a time when the former left and built his own motorcycle shop just a few distances away, which allegedly made the latter upset.

Villacampa added that less than a week ago, the two had a heated argument which eventually led to the incident.

It was also revealed that the suspect went to the victim's store and intentionally asked for tire sealant so that the latter could come closer to him.

When Sivelleno said he did not have the item Bacunas was looking for, the latter immediately shot him in the face. The injured victim tried to fire back to no avail when the suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed him multiple times before fleeing the scene.

During the investigation at the crime scene, operatives only recovered an unregistered .38 caliber gun, while the knife used as a weapon was nowhere to be found.

Furthermore, Villacampa said that the operatives are still conducting a hot pursuit operation to track down and arrest the at-large suspect.

He added that authorities have contacted Bacunas' wife, who claimed that her husband has not yet returned to their home since the afternoon of that day, March 19.

After learning that the suspect was a native of Toledo City, Villacampa ordered the tightening of security measures at the seaports around Bantayan Island to prevent the suspect from escaping.

- Nicholas Jon Malaga/IHM