PDEA agent killed in Cebu ambush

CEBU – An agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) was shot and killed in an ambush Friday night in Basak, Lapu-Lapu City, sending more shock waves through a metropolis already reeling in fear from the brutal daylight killing of prominent lawyer Richard Sison only last Wednesday in Cebu City.

The latest violence brought to four the number of shootings that came one after the other in the little-over-24-hours since Sison was peppered with bullets by a motorcycle riding assailant as he stopped for a red light at V. Sotto corner M.J. Cuenco Avenue in his gray Toyota Hilux pickup.

Fire officer Priscillano Gingoyon Jr., who is detailed with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency as an agent, was driving home in his Mitsubishi Pajero when attacked by two men on a motorcycle.

The ambush took place less than a kilometer from his home. 

Gingoyon was still alive when taken to the nearby Mactan Doctors’ Hospital but died at about 10 pm.

The Gingoyon ambush took place even before the shock of the brutal daylight killing of Sison last Wednesday could subside, reinforcing fears that Metro Cebu is increasingly becoming a very dangerous place to be.

It followed the latest carnage of three other shootings that began with the killing of a certain Marty Conejos by one of two assailants in a narrow alley close to a basketball court just a few meters from the Day-as barangay hall.

Witnesses who saw the shooting promptly called the police, giving them accurate descriptions of the assailants, including the clothes they wore, and the vehicle they used in making their escape.

A bulletin swiftly went out and a car matching the description, a gray Toyota Innova, was spotted in Sudlon, barangay Kalunasan. 

A brief chase involving a total of seven police cars ensued until the suspects were cornered near the Kalunasan barangay hall.

Eight men inside the Innova sur­rendered without a fight and were promptly arrested.

They were identified as Celmar Selada, who happens to be a barangay councilman of Cantularoy, Argao, Jaynard Manzanades, Ernesto Sardonillo, Ephraim Sarona, Enrique Solis, said to be the driver of the Innova owned by Toyco Rent-a-Car, Roland Sardonsillo, Elvis Manzanades, and Felix Fernandez.

Two other suspects, cousins Faustino Manzanades Jr., a brother of Jaynard, and Godofredo Manzanades, eluded arrest.

SPO1 Rogelio Nedamo of the Cebu City police homicide section said a .357 caliber revolver was found in the van with one empty shell and five live hollow point silvertip bullets.

Selada and his companions denied any involvement in the killing of Conejos and expressed surprise why they were being treated as suspects in the crime.

In another violent incident, a security guard was shot dead by his own superior following an argument inside a beer joint in Mabolo also Thursday evening.

The victim, Ariel Ponla, was detailed in the same establishment.

The suspect, Michael Dominguez, a supervisor at the ARG Investigation and Security Agency, fled after Ponla fell from having absorbed a number of shots.

Police said Ponla was at his post on the main entrance to the beer joint when Dominguez came and began berating his subordinate over a job-related matter. An argument ensued.

Not wanting a fight, Ponla tried to walk away but the suspect went after him. Catching up with Ponla, the suspect allegedly shot him in the chest, right in front of another guard by the name of Michael Achumbre.

Wounded, Ponla managed to run inside the establishment but the suspect chased him, this time shooting to finish him off, before fleeing.

Hours later, in the early dawn of Friday, a jeepney dispatcher sleeping on a folding bed by the side of the road in Salinas Drive Extension, Lahug was shot by a man on a blue motorcycle.

Police said the dispatcher, whose identity was still being ascertained, was shot by a man who just stopped by the sleeping man and, disembarking, aimed at his temple and fired.

Police later learned that earlier, the dispatcher had an argument with a jeepney conductor.

Cebu City police chief Patrocinio Comendador said efforts are being made to field more policemen to allay mounting public fears for their safety.

Comendador also said he has already lobbied with some councilors regarding the possibility of regulating the use of motorcycles in the city after it was learned that motorcycles have become the vehicle of choice by most criminals in carrying out their crimes. – With Garry Lao and Fred Languido