2 shooting suspects arrested

CEBU, Philippines —  Two men were arrested by police after they were accused of shooting a woman in Barangay Punta Princesa, Cebu City, early the other day, May 15, although one of them claimed he didn’t know he was going to be part of a crime.

The police identified the suspects as Francis Magnese Quijote, 38, of Sitio Tubod, Barangay Buhisan, and his nephew Ricky Nelson Atim Quijote, 21, of Sitio Tambisan, Barangay Tisa, Cebu City.

According to the investigation, the suspects were allegedly angry with the victim because they believed she was an asset or informant of the Philippine National Police.

Based on the report, around 5 A.M. on May 15, the suspects were waiting at the intersection of Barangay Punta Princesa to ambush the victim.

When she passed by, they followed her on a motorcycle and shot her from behind after a few meters.

A habal-habal driver quickly called for help after the incident.

Cebu City Police Office chief Police Colonel George Ylanan said CCTV cameras in Barangay Labangon were of great help in identifying the suspects.

"Nagpasalamat ta sa CCTV sa Barangay Labangon nindot kaayo ag kuha sa ilang camera klaro kaayo kita kaayo ang nawong sa tao, gisul-ob, motor. High-end ilang camera sa pag backtracking nakuha sa Station 10 ang kopya sa CCTV klaro g’yud kaayo gipakita didto sa relative sa  biktima og sa mga witnesses na identify dayon ang motor nga gigamit ang mga tao nga involve sa nawong palang daan sa gisul-ot helmet sanina tanan unang nadakpan kini si Ricky Nelson Atim Quijote mao ni ang driver ika duhang nadakpan kini nga gunman si Francis," he said.

Through a hot pursuit operation under Police Captain Joel Dela Cerna, the two suspects were arrested. Recovered from them an orange and white Mio Soul motorcycle with license plate G57BRJ, a blue RXR helmet, and a gray Champion jacket worn by the driver during the crime.

Innocence claimed

When the suspects were interviewed by The Freeman/Banat News Team, they admitted to the shooting, but Ricky, the driver of the motorcycle, revealed that he was unaware of his uncle's plan to shoot the victim.

Francis backed up the innocence of his nephew.

"Kana siya asset na siya daghan na pud siya gipadakop niya karon gi-apil-apil ko ana niya ikaduha ko gi-kuan diha. Mao to naka decide ko, kini ako pag-umangkon wala g’yud ni labot, ako rani siya gipukaw nahibung man na siya pag abot namo sa Punta nagtaptap nako daan," said Francis

The two suspects are currently detained at the custodial facility of the Labangon Police Station and may face homicide charges. — (FREEMAN)