Cordova shooting: 2 suspects identified; drug motive eyed

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Police have identified two suspects in the fatal shooting of a 28-year-old man in Cordova, Cebu, on Sunday, July 12, as investigators pursue a possible drug-related motive.

In a report, the Cordova Municipal Police Station identified the suspects as alias “Balot,” 31, of Sitio Bankal, Barangay Ibabao, Cordova, who was tagged as the alleged gunman, and alias “Jorge,” a resident of Barangay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City, who allegedly drove the getaway motorcycle.

The victim, alias “Jojo,” 28, of Barangay Buaya, Lapu-Lapu City, was declared dead at Carajay District Hospital at about 12:45 p.m., around 40 minutes after the shooting.

READ: Basak Pardo shooting: Police hunt gunman in fatal attack

Police asset

Initial police investigation showed that both suspects and the victim were allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

Investigators said the suspects allegedly believed the victim was a police asset after several of their alleged associates were arrested one by one, prompting authorities to consider a drug-related motive behind the killing.

READ: Lapu-Lapu City shooting: Tailoring student, 23, dies in attack

According to the police report, the suspects allegedly lured the victim into joining a pot session before the shooting incident happened.

Police said the victim was walking along a road in Sitio Bankal, Barangay Ibabao, at around noon when the alleged gunman shot him in the head using a still undetermined caliber of revolver before fleeing with his alleged accomplice aboard a blue Yamaha Mio scooter.

The incident was reported to police at around 12:05 p.m. after a concerned citizen sought assistance.

Members of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) arrived at around 1:20 p.m. to process the crime scene.

Investigators recovered one live round of ammunition of a still undetermined caliber before completing their examination of the scene at around 2 p.m.

Drug paraphernalia found

Police also inspected the residence of the alleged gunman, located near the crime scene.

Investigators said they recovered rolled aluminum foil, plastic sachets, and lighters believed to be drug paraphernalia, along with two identification cards allegedly belonging to the suspects.

As of Monday, July 13, police were continuing their hot pursuit operations to locate and arrest the two identified suspects as the investigation into the killing remained ongoing.

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