Man shot dead; cops eye drug-related case

CEBU, Philippines – One month and one day after Superintendent Jovito Atanacio assumed office as officer-in-charge chief of police of Dumaguete, a second shooting incident happened yesterday near a store and houses at Purok Orchids in sitio Canday-ong of Barangay Calindagan, this city.

Shot dead at 12:45 p.m. was 39-year-old Herbert Liro, of Purok Matinabangon 5 of the same barangay. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds in different parts of his body. Recovered from the crime scene were four slugs and eight fired cartridges from a Super 38 pistol.

The police also found from the victim’s body a wallet containing pieces of empty sachets, an empty stainless lipstick holder containing plastic sachets, a disposable lighter, a half-size Gillete and an ice pick with handle, believed to be used in breaking shabu granules.

Atanacio, citing the illegal drugs paraphernalia and statements from the residents about the activities of the victim, said investigators were looking into the drugs angle of the incident.

Initial investigations showed Liro was seen roaming around Purok Orchids, when the assailants appeared and, without any hesitation and warning, shot him several times to death.

The killers fled on foot, but residents in the area refused to say something about the physical appearance of the attackers even if reports said many of them had witnessed the crime.

Atanacio personally supervised the investigation and assured would-be witnesses that their names will be withheld with strict confidentiality so the culprits will be brought to court.