Man shot dead while playing 'tong-its'

CEBU, Philippines – A man playing a card game in his neighbor's house died after he was shot in the head by an unidentified man  past 9 p.m. Sunday in Barangay Looc, Danao City.

Police identified the victim as Jollan Ponce, 29, of Sitio Hi-way, Barangay Looc, Danao City who died from a gunshot wound to his head.

Police Officer 2 Roselo Campo, desk officer at Danao City Police Station, told The FREEMAN that the victim was playing card game locally known as "tong-its" in his neighbor’s house when the incident happened.

Later, an unidentified gunman arrived, pulled a hand gun and shot the victim several times hitting him once in the left temple that exited through the right portion of the head.

The victim died in an instant and when he fell to the ground, the gunman fled in the dark.

The investigators did not recover an empty shell or a slug of any ammunition at the crime scene and they are also facing a blank wall as to the motive of the killing.

Meanwhile, a 21-year-old man who turned back upon seeing the Special Weapons and Tactics personnel who were conducting a roving patrol was arrested after the police recovered a gun from his possession past 12 midnight Monday in Barangay Tumonoy, Moalboal town.

Erwin del Valle, 21,of Poblacion 2, Malabuyoc town will be charged with violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act after a .22 caliber pistol was confiscated from him after a motorcycle chase with the police.

Police Officer 1 Niño Ridaza, desk officer of Moalboal Police Station, said that the SWAT personnel grew suspicious when the suspect, who was driving a motorcycle, suddenly turned back when he saw the police officers.

Sensing that something was wrong, the motorcycle riding SWAT personnel chased the suspect and flagged him down in Barangay Tomonoy.

But one SWAT personnel noticed a handle that he suspected as that of a gun, sticking out of the suspect’s waistline, so he asked him to raise the suspect’s shirt.

Upon seeing that he was bringing a gun, the SWAT personnel asked him to produce any document that would prove that he is allowed to carry it but he failed, thus he was arrested.

Aside from the suspect’s violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act, the police are contemplating on filing charges against del Valle for not wearing helmet while driving. (FREEMAN)