2 figure in separate shooting incidents

CEBU, Philippines - A man accused of sending threats and another one who intervened in an altercation were shot separately in Lapu-Lapu City and Talisay City on Thursday.

Arvin Sagarino alias "Soda," 22, was shot by his neighbor in Sitio Kadulang, Barangay Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City.

He sustained gunshot wounds in his body after alleged suspect Roy Sagang, 29, fired at him at around 4 p.m., said Senior Police Officer 2 Manolito Abellanosa,  homicide investigator at the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office.

Few hours before the incident, Sagarino, a resident of Sitio Kalubihan of the same barangay, allegedly threatened Sagang through a text message that he will kill him.

Investigation revealed that Sagarino went to Sagang's house in Sitio Kadalang where he was eventually shot by the latter instead.

"Mihulga ang biktima ngadto kang Sagang sa text, unya gahapon, niadto ni siya sa balay sa suspect. Nakadungog ang mga silingan nga nagbuto-buto na sulod sa balay," Abellanosa said.

Neighbors reportedly saw Sagarino lying on the ground in front of the suspect's house.

Police said Sagang possibly shot the victim because the latter threatened him. No empty shell was found at the crime scene.

Investigation revealed that the victim was previously tagged in robbery cases in the city.

"Noted si Sagarino nga kawatan, na-involve og robbery case. Napriso ni siya sa BJMP (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology) dinhi sa Lapu-Lapu," Abellanosa said.

The victim's body was sent to Surelife Funeral Homes in Barangay Pajo for autopsy while the suspect is being hunted down by the police fleeing.

Abellanosa said they were also unable to recover the suspect's gun as the latter may have carried it with him while escaping from the crime scene.

In Talisay City, a 23-year-old vendor was reportedly shot by his stepfather after intervening in an altercation in Barangay Mohon.

The victim Raymart Gedorio, 23, survived the attack.

He was allegedly shot by Lando Bacalso, 35, with the use of an improvised shotgun.

Police Officer 1 John Xyros Ilustrisimo of Talisay City Police said the victim' lover and his stepfather were having a heated altercation when the victim then intervened until a fistfight occurred.

Ilustrisimo said the suspect pulled out his improvised shotgun and shot the victim twice.

"Swerte kaayo ang biktima nga wa gyud maigo. Dali gyud kaayo siyang nakadagan palayo," Ilustrisimo said.

Appropriate charges will be filed against the suspect, he added. — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud and Gabriel C. Bonjoc of BANAT News