Friday, August 10, 2007 2 businessmen slain; frat man suspect in the first shooting
TWO businessmen were killed hours apart in Mandaue City yesterday, one of them the victim of an alleged fraternity hitman.
The killing blamed on a fraternity member came less than a week after a person was shot dead, reportedly by a frat man.
Benjamin Barquero, a 46-year-old shell craft exporter, was with cousin Stephen Mendoza past 1 a.m. yesterday in Barangay Alang-Alang when they met the gunman and his girlfriend.
The gunman, said to be an Alpha Kappa Rho (Akrho) hitman, reportedly came from his fraternity’s anniversary party yesterday and was fighting with his girlfriend.
“Giparok parok kuno ang ulo sa babaye (he kept on hitting the head of the girl),” said Chovasco Nacar, a provincial jail officer and the victim’s brother-in-law.
Barquero reportedly told the suspect to stop hitting the girl. This irked the other man, who then pulled his gun. Barquero scampered for safety but was hit in the back, with the bullet going through his chest.
Barquero fell near a group of people playing cards. The gunman then repeatedly shot at the group, grazing Berto Cuizon’s right arm.
Police nearby
The killing happened beside the house of former Mandaue City vice mayor Amadeo Seno Jr. The area is also a hundred meters away from City Hall and 150 meters away from the house of Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, where policemen were present to secure the wake of the legislator’s father.
A few hours later, a real estate broker and hardware store owner was shot dead inside his car in Sanoria Compound in Wireless, Mandaue City.
James Yu, 64, was hit twice in the attack at 9:40 a.m. yesterday. His son, Johnson, brought him to the Perpetual Succour Hospital, where he was declared dead.
Police suspect a business rivalry was the motive of the attack.
PO2 Allen Carado of the Subangdaku Police Station said the shooter was described as slim, 5’4" to 5’5", about 38 to 40 years old and wearing a cap.
Carado said the shooter was seen drinking beer in a store near the crime scene. Police suspect the killer was an amateur because he fired thrice but hit his target only twice.
Crime scene
Police said James was driving home when the suspect approached his car, shot him, and casually walked toward a waiting motorcycle and left the scene.
Police recovered four empty shells of a caliber .45 and a live bullet in the crime scene.
Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes yesterday asked police to go after the gunmen.
He asked Mandaue City Police Office Director Alexander Abadinas to get the names of fraternity officers in Barangay Alang-Alang. He also ordered Abadinas to immediately arrest the suspect.
Nacar said they have the name of the gunman who killed his brother-in-law but he begged off from giving it to reporters because of an ongoing operation.
“I’m calling on Mayor Cortes to give justice to the death of my brother-in-law. The shootings have been happening here for so long and police could not stop it,” Nacar said in Cebuano.
Nacar said they believe that the gunman wasn’t from the place because Barquero knew fraternity members in the area.
Pledges
Nacar said Barquero, said to be a nephew of former Mandaue City mayor Alfredo Ouano, was like a father to his community, supporting fiesta activities with prizes and other financial assistance.
The victim’s wife, who is Nacar’s sister, is a nurse working in Dubai. She will be coming home this week. The couple has an 11-year-old son.
Cortes said there will be “no more covenant signings,” referring to the previous gatherings of fraternity leaders who signed documents pledging an end to violence.
Cortes said he wants the names of the fraternity officers to get their commitment against violence.
At 4 a.m. last Aug. 4, a gunman from a rival fraternity shot dead Alberto Ando and wounded Edesa Felicilda and propsman Rolly Manaban. Ando and Manaban were part of the Alcantara dance troupe scheduled to present at the Cebu International Convention Center. (OCP)
