Pusher cornered; jobless man gunned down

CEBU, Philippines - A 20-year-old notorious robber in Lapu-Lapu City finally fell into the hands of the police Friday afternoon after he sold a small pack of what was believed to be shabu to a police decoy in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Pusok.

After receiving a tip from a concerned citizen via phone call, Yehpeth Bontilao, a resident of Sitio Sta. Maria of the same barangay, was arrested by a team of police led by Pusok Police station chief PC/Insp. Junel Caadlawon.

When it was confirmed that the suspect was selling illegal drugs in the place, operatives immediately tailed on him to his house and, upon arriving, a group of men scampered when they saw the police coming. They were able to corner Bontilao, however.

Police also learned that the group of men who scampered away after sensing their arrival were having a pot session in a shanty near the residence of the suspect.

Police seized from Bontilao a .22 unlicensed revolver with three live bullets, two small packets of shabu, 18 small empty plastic sachets with traces of shabu, 30 tin foils, a lighter and the P100 marked money.

Cadlawon said that the suspect's name would often surface whenever a robbery occurs in their area of jurisdiction.  "Lately he shifted to selling shabu," said Caadlawon.

Bontilao admitted he was responsible for the series of robbery in Pusok area but he told police that the last time that he got himself engaged in a robbery was late last year.

Meanwhile, a 43-year-old man was severely injured after he was shot several times by an unidentified person Thursday evening in Barangay Bankal.

Wellbie Pantinople, married and jobless, a resident of  Sitio Tigkahon of  Barangay Bankal, was rushed to Mactan Doctors' Hospital after he sustained gunshot wounds in his face, left hand and abdomen. His relatives later decided to transfer him to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

Police investigation revealed that while the victim was loitering near his residence around 10 p.m., an unidentified man covering his face approached him and, without any provocation, shot him several times until he fell to the ground.

The man fled immediately and was noticed by people from a distance boarding a waiting motorcycle that sped off  to unknown direction, evading the responding police.

Recovered from the crime scene was a magazine of .45 caliber pistol with two live bullets and four empty shells.

Police have yet to determine to motive of the crime.  (FREEMAN)