Assailants on trike shoot man dead

CEBU, Philippines – A 50-year-old man who was on his way to eat "balut" outside their house in Barangay Babag 1, Lapu-Lapu City was shot dead yesterday dawn.

Hermilin Igot was shot in the head and abdomen, according to Police Officer 2 Rouel Cutanda of the Homicide Section of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office.

Investigation revealed Igot was going out to buy and eat "balut" only to be shot by yet unidentified assailants. A certain witness, Sheila Tumulak, told the police she was walking on a dark portion of the sitio when she heard sounds of gunfire.

Upon hearing the shots, she ran away from the dark and proceeded to the main road where she saw men reportedly riding on a speeding tricycle.

Nearby, Tumulak saw the victim laying on the ground blooded so she immediately asked for help.

Igot, who was about to start a new job as a rent-a-car driver, was rushed to the Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Suspects may have robbed the victim as well because Igot lost his cellphone and his purse, police said.

Meanwhile, two persons were injured when a prime mover bumped into a public jeepney on the national highway in Barangay Jagobiao, Mandaue City past 2 p.m. last Monday.

Police Officer 2 Arvin Dejeto, traffic field investigator, identified the victims as Loida Siapen, 26, of Carmen town and John Gitgano, 17, of Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City.

PO2 Dejeto said the PUJ which was driven by Jose Garcia, 64, of Barangay San Vicente, Liloan town was heading Liloan from Cebu City. Following the PUJ was the prime mover. Moments later, one of PUJ's passengers wanted to disembark.

Garcia claimed while he was about to stop at the roadside, the prime mover driven by Emedio Derecho, 50, of Barangay Ginancot, Danao City failed to step on his brakes, hitting the rear portion of the PUJ.