Wednesday, May 21, 2008 Robbery suspect shot after posting bail, survives
RIGHT after posting bail, a man accused of robbing a businessman about a year ago was shot just meters away from the Toledo City Jail Monday afternoon.
Although Eleazar Benoya, 26, survived the shooting, he became the third victim of shootings involving a detainee who had just posted bail.
Eleazar was picked up by his mother Ceceria and they hired motorcycle driver Leo Tolin to take them home to Sitio New Bucao, Barangay Gen. Climaco, Toledo City.
After they left the jail in Barangay Landahan, they noticed two men on another motorcycle tailing them.
At a distance of 20 to 30 meters from the jail, the motorcycle passenger fired at them three times.
Eleazar suffered gunshot wounds in the left side of his torso and on his left elbow.
Though wounded, he managed to run to a nearby house owned by Mario Omania. Ceceria and Tolin were unharmed.
The two men on the motorcycle fled to an unknown direction.
SPO1 Bernabe Olan-olan told Sun.Star Cebu the crime Eleazar was accused of happened sometime last year but he was only arrested less than two months ago.
He reportedly robbed a businessman on a market day in Barangay Gen. Climaco.
Police have yet to identify the two men as Ceceria told police she did not recognize them.
Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Carmelo Valmoria, when asked if vigilantes could be behind the attack, said some people found it easy to conclude vigilantes were responsible.
“I do not want to speculate. This is an allegation. We do not have information that a vigilante group is operating in the province running after these criminals who have just posted bail,” he said.
Valmoria said that since Eleazar survived, he could be able to give a statement and help in the investigation.
Jose Mecias Pungtod Magno, 43, and Medase Sumagay-say Castro, 41, were killed last week after they were released from the Cebu City Jail. Also killed was Evelyn Bangot Magno, 41, Jose’s wife, who fetched him after posting his bail.
Jose and Castro were arrested and charged with estafa and corruption of public official for allegedly duping a 75-year-old pensioner weeks ago. (MEA)
