WITHIN four days, two separate violent crimes involving women happened in Cebu, with one woman shot dead in Cebu City and another believed to be the victim of a grisly killing in Talisay City.
The latest case occurred early Wednesday, July 15, when a 50-year-old woman was shot dead by motorcycle-riding gunmen outside a pension house in Barangay San Nicolas Proper, Cebu City, in what police believe may be a drug-related killing.
The victim was identified as Leilani Cabasa De Claro of Barangay Suba. She was declared dead after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds to the head.
Police records showed she had previously been convicted of violating Sections 5 and 11 (selling and possessing illegal drugs) of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Investigation
Lt. Col. Franco Rudolf Oriol, deputy city director for administration of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said investigators are looking into whether De Claro’s death was linked to illegal drugs, including the possibility that she failed to remit drug proceeds or was betrayed by her associates.
The shooting occurred at 2:20 a.m. outside Cris Pension House on B. Aranas St. Investigators said De Claro arrived on an e-bike with her companion and the driver.
Police said Varquez got off the e-bike and told De Claro to wait. Moments later, a gunman approached and repeatedly shot the victim before fleeing on a motorcycle driven by another man toward N. Bacalso Ave.
A team from the Scene of the Crime Operation recovered three .45-caliber shell casings from the scene. De Claro was rushed to Cebu City Medical Center but did not survive.
Investigators have identified De Claro’s companion as a person of interest after witnesses reported that she left the area shortly after the shooting. Police are examining her cellphone activity and other evidence to determine her possible involvement.
A witness has also come forward, although the person was unable to identify the gunman after running for cover when the shooting began.
Police have submitted De Claro’s cellphone to the Cybercrime Unit for forensic examination to reconstruct her communications before the attack. Authorities are also investigating reports that Cris Pension House may be linked to illegal drug activity.
Severed head
On Saturday, July 11, after a scavenger discovered a severed human head in a vacant lot in Barangay Cansojong, Talisay City, shortly after 11 a.m.
Police are determining whether the remains belong to Pilar Basilio, 48, a stay-in caregiver in Barangay San Isidro, Talisay City, who had been reported missing by her relatives.
A few hours after the severed head was found, police recovered a headless body several meters from the site. Investigators said the remains were already in an advanced state of decomposition, making identification difficult.
According to police, Basilio’s daughter last communicated with her on July 4, the day she left her employer’s house and failed to return. Her employer reported her disappearance on July 6.
Basilio’s relatives have undergone buccal swab collection for DNA testing to determine whether the recovered remains are those of the missing woman.
Police have yet to confirm whether the severed head and the headless body belong to Basilio as the investigation continues. / ABC
