Argao shooting: Police arrest one suspect in deadly attack

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Police arrested a 35-year-old man less than 24 hours after a shooting attack in Argao, southern Cebu that left one man dead and two others wounded on Tuesday evening, June 30.

The 35-year-old suspect was arrested at around 11 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, in Barangay Capio-an, Argao, following a hot pursuit operation conducted by personnel of the Argao Municipal Police Station.

He is facing murder charges in connection with the shooting that killed 36-year-old alias “Rocky” and injured alias “Edsel” and alias “Anselmo.” Another companion, alias “Anderson,” escaped unharmed.

READ: Gunmen fire at house in Argao, Cebu: 1 dead, 2 wounded

Witness, investigation lead to arrest

According to Argao Municipal Police Station, investigators conducted follow-up investigation, intelligence gathering, witness interviews, and evidence evaluation after the shooting to identify those responsible.

Police said a witness who personally witnessed the attack identified the suspect as one of the gunmen involved in the Argao shooting.

Based on the witness’ identification, authorities immediately launched a hot pursuit operation that led to the suspect’s arrest later that night, less than 24 hours after the shooting.

The witness again positively identified the suspect after he was brought to the police station, police said.

READ: No threat found at Cebu City school after shooting scare

Upon his arrest, authorities said the suspect was informed of the nature and cause of his arrest and apprised of his constitutional rights in a language he understood.

Firearm recovered

Recovered from the suspect’s possession were a caliber .45 pistol, one magazine, and five rounds of live ammunition.

Police have yet to determine whether the recovered firearm was the one used in the shooting.

Authorities also have yet to disclose how many suspects were involved in the attack or identified the remaining gunmen.

Shooting attack

The arrest stemmed from the shooting incident that occurred at around 9:25 p.m. on June 30 in Purok Tambis, Barangay Capio-an.

Initial police investigation showed the victims were inside Rocky’s house, where Edsel was tattooing him, when armed men aboard a dark-colored sport utility vehicle and a motorcycle stopped along the roadside and opened fire several times before fleeing.

Rocky sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene.

Edsel and Anselmo were rushed to the Isidro Kintanar Memorial Hospital for treatment, while Anderson managed to escape without injuries.

READ: 14-year-old Tacloban shooting suspect wanted to be a cop – aunt

Responding officers secured the scene and coordinated with the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO), which recovered 21 fired cartridge cases of caliber .45 and 9mm, along with several fired slugs that were submitted for forensic examination.

Police said follow-up operations remain ongoing to identify and arrest the remaining suspects in the Argao shooting, while investigators have yet to disclose a possible motive behind the attack.

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