Friday, July 11, 2008 3 shooting incidents in Cebu City in 10 hours
IN a span of 10 hours, three people were gunned down in separate incidents in Cebu City, including a man who had just walked out of the prosecutor’s office after the complaint filed against him was dismissed last Wednesday afternoon.
Another victim was killed over an alleged illegal drug deal that turned sour in Barangay Labangon.
The first incident occurred at 5:30 p.m. inside a passenger jeepney when a gunman on board a motorcycle driven by an accomplice fired at Jasper Canton, alias Tabilong.
Canton, 28, who resided on Sitio Buli, Barangay Duljo-Fatima, died of a gunshot wound in the right temple before the jeepney he was boarding reached Cebu City Medical Center.
The Colon-bound jeepney boarded by Canton and his three neighbors stopped for a red light along Osmeña Blvd. in front of the City Central School, Barangay Sambag I, when the gunman allegedly got off from the motorcycle.
The gunman went straight to Canton, who was occupying the front seat, and shot the victim.
The gunman and his accomplice sped towards P. del Rosario Ext.
Probe
An investigation conducted by a team of Homicide Section investigators led by SPO1 Roger Nedamo said Canton just came from the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office at the Marcelo Fernan Hall of Justice for an inquest proceedings on the attempted murder complaint filed against him by Jenen Mejares.
The complaint, however, was dismissed after Mejares executed an affidavit of desistance.
Canton was arrested by a team of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Bureau operatives last Monday for his alleged involvement in the spate of shooting incidents in Barangay Mambaling.
The shootings in Mambaling involving the Takals Gang reportedly led by Canton and the Mejares’ group led by one Bugart Mejares have been taking place since May 5, CIIB Chief George Ylanan said earlier.
At 3:30 a.m. yesterday, 17-year-old John Brian Sumbal, alias Sniper, was killed in Sitio Club Kawayan, Mamba-ling. He was reportedly a member of Tau Gamma Phi fraternity.
One Axel Cabo, of Sitio Puntod Alaska, Mambaling has been tagged as the gunman.
Sumbal died hours after he was taken to the city hospital for gunshot wounds.
Angles
Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Patrocinio Comendador, in a news conference said, the Homicide Section investigators are looking into several angles in the two killings.
He said they will particularly look into fraternity, drugs and retaliation as possible motives.
Police learned that Cabo was associated with Canton’s gang, prompting the Homicide Section to check if the two killings were related.
In a separate incident, 27-year-old Jovito Acruz, alias Intsik, was killed in Bario Baho, Sitio Mahayahay II, A. Lopez St., Labangon, at 9 p.m., Wednesday, over a reported illegal drug deal.
Perpetrators
A certain Gerald alias Dodong Kulot and an unidentified companion were tagged as the perpetrators.
Initial investigation conducted by PO3 Buenaventura Ursaiz of the Homicide Section found that the perpetrators confronted Acruz over the shabu they have supposedly bought from the victim.
Acruz allegedly gave “alum or salt” to the perpetrators instead of shabu.
Irked
The perpetrators tried to get their money back from Acruz. But Acruz wouldn’t give the money back.
An irked Gerald allegedly pulled out a gun and shot the victim.
Acruz, who was hit in the body, managed to run few meters away before falling to the ground.
Acruz died on the way to the Cebu City Medical Center. (JST)
