Shootings, fights and accidents kill five men

CEBU, Philippines - Five men died in separate shooting and vehicular accidents in Cebu towns and Cebu City recently.

One of the fatalities, whom police identified as Felimon Anonas, 42, was believed to have died either because of severe drunkenness or because of a duel with his drinking buddy at 3 am yesterday.

Anonas, who has worked as a jeepney driver in Cebu City and was supposedly set to leave for Canada, was first taken to the Pinamungahan Police Station and was later rushed to the Pinamungahan District Hospital where he died.

Prior to his death, Anonas was drinking with his friend Pepito Basillote, 42, at the wake of their aunt when they got into an argument.

Neighbors advised the two to go home as they were already drunk.

Basillote arrived home and returned outside to talk with Anonas, who was seen by Basillote’s son.

As soon as Basillote approached Anonas tried to hack him with a bolo. Basillote, who only sustained a minor cut to the head, managed to disarm Anonas and hacked him in the right arm.

Basillote tried to hack Anonas again but stopped when the latter apologized. He then took his friend back to the wake.  Police arrived and took Anonas to the hospital.

PO1 Joselito Genon of Pinamungahan Police, one of those who responded, said Dr. Felius Bascon issued them a medical certificate and diagnosed that Anonas was severely intoxicated. They were then told to place Anonas at the police station as the hospital was filled with patients.

At the police station, Genon said the victim already looked pale.

“Niabot iyang igsoon kay amo untang i-interrogate og naunsa iyang igsoon unya naobserbahan namo na nangluspad na siya. Gi-CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) ‘to sa iyang igsoon then gidala namo og balik sa ospital. Didto na siya gi-declare na dead on arrival ni Dr. Bascon,” said Genon.

The cadaver will be submitted to an autopsy to determine what really caused the victim’s death.

Meanwhile, in Barangay Bugas, Badian town, unidentified people shot and killed a certain Oniel Padilla, who was reportedly mentally challenged, at past 8 p.m. last Friday.

Padilla, who lives in nearby Barangay Banhigan, was reportedly walking in Barangay Bugas when the assailants shot him dead.

Police recovered nine empty 9mm cal. shells and three .45 cal. shells from the crime scene.

Police believe Padilla was the victim of a thrill killing, but they are conducting an investigation to pin down the culprits and determine the motive.

In Barangay Ermita, Cebu City, three armed men shot and killed a certain Edwin Batican at 7 a.m. yesterday.

Batican was reportedly feeding his fighting cocks in front of his store when the assailants shot him repeatedly.

The assailants hurriedly left the area while the victim was taken to the Cebu City Medical Center where he was declared dead.

Information gathered by the police revealed that the victim was allegedly involved in the trade of stolen fighting cocks, which could be the motive behind the attack.

Also in Duterte St., Banawa, Barangay Guadalupe, a car hit and left two garbage collectors dead along the road at past 4 am yesterday.

Victims Rogie Deagbel, 18, and Renato Delgado, 32, both residents of Barangay Labangon, were riding on a trisikad at the roadside when a speeding car hit them. The car, whose plate numbers were not taken down, did not stop.

Police are now trying to trace the vehicle, after its “Nissan” markings, reportedly fell off at the crime scene.  (FREEMAN)