THREE men, all with alleged links to illegal drug operations, were killed in separate incidents in Talisay and Lapu-Lapu cities in a span of 12 hours.

Two men—reportedly an ex-convict and one believed to be a trusted man of a drug syndicate—were killed Thursday morning, July 25, in the cities of Lapu-Lapu and Talisay.

Another person, suspected to have links with illegal drug operations, was shot dead also in Lapu-Lapu City Wednesday night, July 24.

Jimbo Gadiano, 33, married and a resident of Barangay Lawaan 3 in Talisay City, was found dead, his body hogtied, on a vacant lot in Barangay Lagtang around 6 a.m. Thursday.

Police said Gadiano was known to the police as one who sold illegal drugs and was believed by them to be a trusted man of the late Girlie Luage, an alleged drug lord.

According to Police Major Orlando Carag Jr., failure to remit drug sales could have been the motive for killing Gadiano since he allegedly belonged to a syndicate.

In Lapu-Lapu City, police said an ex-convict who was released from the New Bilibid Prison just two months ago was killed at 11 a.m Thursday while attending to his barbecue stall.

Richard Inot, 30, was shot by an unidentified assailant in Barangay Bankal.

Police said Inot was reportedly charged with rape by a neighbor last Wednesday. Aside from this, police said they received reports on Inot’s alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

In the third incident, Ryan Ponce, 35, was shot dead in Barangay Maribago around 11 p.m. Wednesday.

Ponce was shot in the head. Police Staff Sergeant Marciano Bardida of the Mactan Police Station said Ponce had just gotten off his vehicle when shot.

Police said Ponce could have been involved in illegal drugs but did not elaborate on his alleged participation in illegal operations. (GCM/FMD)