Brgy watchman dead, driver wounded in shootings

CEBU, Philippines – A barangay tanod and tricycle driver were shot by unidentified assailants in two different barangays in Lapu-Lapu City.

Pete Niño Sollano, 28, and a member of Gun-ob Special Action Team, was reportedly shot around 1:20 Saturday dawn, according to Police Officer 2 Joseph Cutanda of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office.

Sollano was reported to have gunshot wounds on his left part of his body.

Before the incident, Cutanda added that the victim was on his way home from his work at the barangay hall.

According to residents, they suddenly heard a gunshot sound and a loud cry asking for help.

The victim was rushed to the Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, a tricycle driver was reportedly shot in his house while sitting inside the kitchen area around 6:20 p.m. Friday.

Cutanda identified the victim as Gerald Magsigan, 32, who has a live-in partner and a resident in Baril, Vistabella in Sitio Kagudoy, Barangay Basak.

According to Angeline Amoin, the victim's live-in partner, she was about to get inside the house when she suddenly heard a gunshot from the kitchen.

Amoin immediately went to the kitchen and saw Magsigan already shot in the head.

She sought help to her neighbors and Magsigan was rushed to Mactan Doctors' Hospital where he is being treated.

Cutanda, on their investigation, noticed a crack of a jalousie window and believed that the suspected gunman pulled his trigger from outside of the house.

Before the incident happened, Amoin and Magsigan reportedly filed a police blotter to the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Station 4 around 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

A certain Gerry Canlom was reported to have threatened the two by posing a gun and firing twice at the grounds of the victim's house.

Canlom allegedly blamed Magsigan for his broken helmet, according to Cutanda.

Cutanda said Amoin and Magsigan believed that Canlom was allegedly the suspect of the incident.

One empty shell of a suspected caliber .45 was discovered at the crime scene.

Cutanda said the two incidents are now under further investigation for the possible identification and arrest of the suspects.