Couple shot dead; 7 kids orphaned

DANGEROUS LIAISONS? Police are looking into the possible ties of Agnes Pugoy (left) and Ricardo Avenido to illegal drug syndicates as motive for their killing. The couple is survived by seven children, all minors. (SunStar photo / Alan Tangcawan)
DANGEROUS LIAISONS? Police are looking into the possible ties of Agnes Pugoy (left) and Ricardo Avenido to illegal drug syndicates as motive for their killing. The couple is survived by seven children, all minors. (SunStar photo / Alan Tangcawan)

A MAN and his partner were shot dead by four gunmen while they were asleep beside their children in Sitio Lapyahan, Barangay Labogon, Mandaue City on Thursday dawn, March 28.

The victims were identified as Ricardo Avenido, 38, and Agnes Pugoy, 36.

Police Maj. Ramil Morpos said they received the report about the incident at 5 a.m.

The victims’ seven children, all minors, told the police that were jolted from their sleep when the culprits, who wore masks and black jackets, kicked open the front door.

A gunman dragged Avenido out of the bed. Sensing he was in danger, Avenido shouted. Gunshots followed.

The other assassin pulled Pugoy far from the children and he shot her several times.

The culprits fled on board a motorcycle.

Morpos said he coordinated with the Women and Children’s Protection Desk to let the children undergo counseling, as they were traumatized by the murder of their parents.

Crime scene investigators found 11 spent shells of a .45 pistol and two slugs in the victims’ house.

Mandaue City Police Office Director Julian Entoma said Avendio was a former member of the Sadaya drug and robbery group.

The police were looking for Avenido in the past, but they were not able to find him after he left the village.

In 2016, Morpos said Avenido surrendered during Oplan Tokhang. He admitted he was a drug user, but he did not complete the community rehabilitation program.

Avenido reportedly returned to the illegal drug trade, but he cut ties with the Sadaya group. He allegedly forged new ties with the Encila sisters and someone in Barangay Ermita, Cebu City.

Jocelyn Encila, the alleged drug queen, was caught by police in a drug bust in Consolacion last March 4. Her sister Jenalyn was shot near her house in Labogon, Mandaue City three days after her arrest.

Police said Pugoy used her vegetable-selling business as a front for purchasing and distributing illegal drugs. Pugoy and Avenido reportedly distributed their contraband in Consolacion and Liloan.

Entoma tagged them as high-value targets, saying they could dispose of 500 grams of shabu per week. (KAL)

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