A 32-YEAR-OLD man was shot dead by a motorcycle-riding gunman at 4:20 p.m. Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Sitio Holy Name, Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.
The victim was identified as Winston Inopiquez Primitiva, a resident of the area.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Maria Theresa Macatangay, deputy city director for operations of the Cebu City Police Office, said the victim was playing basketball when the gunman arrived on a motorcycle.
Moments later, the gunman shot Primitiva in the body before fleeing the scene. The victim was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Macatangay said that based on the Mabolo Police Station’s investigation, they have already identified a person of interest but declined to provide further details due to the ongoing investigation and manhunt operation.
The victim’s involvement in the illegal drug trade is being considered as a possible motive for the crime, as the victim was a known drug personality. He had been arrested four times in buy-bust but was released after posting bail.
Macatangay said that Primitiva had been involved in illegal drugs since he was 17 years old. At that age, he was arrested six times -- three for illegal drug cases and three for illegal possession of firearms.
Due to this background, police believe that Primitiva may have failed to pay his debt to his supplier, which could have led to his murder.
Authorities also believe that the perpetrator is likely involved in illegal drug activities, such as selling shabu.
"So mao ni ang background sa atong biktima, and we surmise based sa atong pagpangutana but we cannot conclusively tell at this point nga kining iyahang mga gabuhat sa iya ani nga crime are those that are likewise involved in the same kind of unscrupulous activities that he is doing," Macatangay said.
(This is the background of our victim, and we surmise based on our inquiry. However, we cannot conclusively say at this point that the individuals behind this crime are involved in the same illegal activities as the victim.)
Despite the victim’s background, the Mabolo Police Station, led by Police Major Romeo Caacoy Jr., has started reviewing closed circuit television (CCTV) footage to identify the gunman. (AYB)