TWO ex-convicts were found dead at the South Road Properties (SRP) in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City on Wednesday dawn, July 24, 2019.
Rodrigo Abella Sr. identified the two as his grandson, Charlie Abella Parba, 40, and his son, Rodrigo Abella Jr., 49. Both are residents of Sitio Manga, Barangay Tisa.
Abella Sr. said his son was a taxi driver and as of Wednesday night, his vehicle remained missing.
He admitted that both his son and Parba served time in jail due to their alleged involvement in illegal drug activities. But he believes they were only set up at the time.
“Parba had just come out of the Leyte Regional Prison in Abuyog, Leyte. I believe it’s been almost four months since he was released. My son was also jailed at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. But just like his nephew, he was also just accused,” he said.
P/Master Sergeant Nicolo Gonzales, the investigator in charge of the case, said they still have to determine the motive and identify possible suspects.
He also said the responding policemen did not find Abella Jr.’s taxi in the area where the bodies were found.
Gonzales said a concerned person arrived at their station at 12:30 a.m on Wednesday and informed them about the incident.
“When we arrived in the area, we found the two victims already lying on the ground lifeless. We do not have any witness yet because the crime happened when most residents were asleep. It was also raining at the time,” he said.
The police are checking if there are closed-circuit television cameras in the area and if the incident was caught on video.
Recovered from the crime scene were 15 pieces of fired cartridge, which were subjected to ballistic examination, and two empty slugs.
According to Gonzales, one victim sustained a gunshot wound on the upper right side of his face while the other one suffered a gunshot wound on his temple.
Special Investigator 4 Leo Villarino of the Commission on Human Rights 7 said they will also coordinate with the police on the investigation.
“We have already talked to the family but they said they have no idea who could possibly do this to their kin. I believe the autopsies for the two victims are already scheduled,” he said. (WBS)