Three men “attack” house of brgy official

CEBU, Philippines - Three men allegedly fired shots at the house of a barangay councilman in Asturias, Cebu early Monday morning.

Barangay Lunas councilman Evelio Cabase Sr., 62, asked for police assistance following the 1:30 a.m. shooting allegedly perpetrated by three illegal drug personalities.

Based on the victim’s accounts, Senior Police Officer 4 Joseph Mangle of Asturias Police Station said, he was sleeping with his family when they suddenly heard three bursts of gunfire, which prompted them to immediately seek cover.

When they heard a motorcycle leaving, Cabase quickly looked through the window to check who the assailants were.

Cabase alleged he saw a certain Michael Lumactud driving the motorcycle and Randel Lumactud riding at the back, still holding a firearm, together with a certain Jason.

Three hours after, Cabase decided to go out and found three empty shells of a cal. 45 pistol and three deformed slugs in the area where he allegedly spotted the suspects.

According to Mangle, they suspect that the incident was connected with the illegal drug activities in the barangay since the councilman always stands as a witness in every anti-illegal drug operation they conduct in the area.

Mangle said the two Lumactuds are cousins and that they are notorious illegal drug personalities in the area as well as the certain Jason.

Mangle further said the suspects are cohorts of five illegal drug peddlers who were arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted in the barangay just recently.

“Wa mi lain nga mahunahunaan kay wala man sad ni kontra si konsehal (Cabase). Posible nga gihulga ‘to nila ang biktima,” he said.

The police officer said they are planning to file a grave threat case against the three suspects. — (FREEMAN)