Lapu attack kills one, leaves another injured

CEBU, Philippines - A man died while his live in partner was injured when two unidentified persons reportedly shot them at their house in Barangay Buaya, Lapu-Lapu City at about 10 pm last Sunday.

Police identified the couple as Eduardo Bernardo, 32, jobless and his common-law wife Geinivev Villarin, 32, a factory worker.

Investigation conducted by police showed that prior to the incident, the couple were heard laughing inside their house when bursts of gunfire were heard.

Bernardo’s sister, Elizabeth Bernardo Atienza, who was living adjacent to the couple’s house, heard the shots and was prompted to go outside and check what happened.

As she went out, she met one of the suspects who pointed a gun at her.

She ran back towards the house and shouted for help while the suspects reportedly continued shooting at the couple’s house.

Bernardo died immediately of gunshot wounds to the head and body while Villarin suffered a grazed wound on her head.

She was rushed to the Cebu Doctor’s hospital in Cebu city.

Luckily, the couple’s four-year-old child, who was about to sleep that time, was spared from the bullets.

Atienza told the police that one of the suspects wore a red jacket and a red baseball cap while the other suspect wore a black shirt.

Scene of the Crime Operation personnel recovered 11 empty shells of a .45 cal. pistol and three slugs from the crime scene.

Police said they are now trying to investigate the victim’s alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.  (FREEMAN)