Lender wounded in shooting

CEBU, Philippines - A “balikbayan” from Switzerland who has stayed in Cebu for just a few months now was in critical condition after he was allegedly shot by an unidentified person onboard a motorcycle yesterday morning on Buhisan Road, Barangay Punta Princesa, Cebu City.

The victim was identified as Ricardo Paras, 57, a native of Tarlac, and temporarily staying in the said place. He is reportedly engaged in a lending business.

According to Senior Police Officer 2 Ruth Violango, investigator at the Homicide Section of the Cebu City Police Office, Paras was just standing outside their house around 9 a.m. yesterday when a black XRM motorcycle suddenly showed up.

The lone man driving the motorcycle allegedly pulled over near the area where Paras was standing and immediately shot him twice. The gunman was allegedly not wearing anything to cover his face and immediately drove off after the shooting.

Violango said two bullets were embedded on the victim’s back but they have yet to identify what kind of firearm the culprit used.

Residents who saw the incident immediately helped Paras and brought him to a private hospital which investigators refused to divulge for his security.

Violango said one of the angles they are now looking into is related to the victim’s lending business, although they are still digging deeper in their investigation.

She said they have yet to talk with Paras whenever it is already possible, adding that they are hoping the victim knows the identity of the gunman, especially since the latter was not wearing any mask on the face.

In Talisay City, a German national was pronounced dead on arrival at Talisay City District Hospital after reportedly suffering from heart attack inside his house in Sitio Pangpang, Barangay San Isidro yesterday dawn.

The fatality was identified as Stefan Dieter Hokenbecker, 47. Senior Police Officer 1 Mikie Espina of Talisay City Police Station said a close friend of Hokenbecker, Realiza Abatayo, called their office for police assistance.

Responding officers then called Talisay City Rescue Action Team which then rushed to the house of the German. Unfortunately, the victim had already expired by the time he arrived at the hospital.   (FREEMAN)