Former cop gunned down in Mandaue

CEBU CITY — A retired policeman was gunned down by motorcycle-riding assailants in Barangay Cubacub, Mandaue City Sunday night.

The fatality was identified as Ronilo Vallente, 47. A habal-habal (motorcycle-for-hire) driver was wounded after he was hit by a stray bullet.

Chief Supt. Debold Sinas, police regional director for Central Visayas, Vallente retired from the force last March with a rank of senior police officer 2.

The Mandaue police is investigating the killing.

“The investigation will include checking the background of Vallente,” said Sinas.

Initial investigation showed that Vallente was sitting by the road when two men on a motorcycle arrived. The back driver drew a gun and fired at Vallente.

Seven empty.45 caliber shells were recovered in the crime scene.

Before Sunday’s attack, three policemen had been killed in Cebu in this month alone.

Last June 10, Senior Insp. Raymond Hortezuela was shot dead by fellow policeman after he allegedly tried to fight back in a drug bust in Barangay Tipolo, Mandaue.

Three days later, PO3 Jonathan Tilos was gunned down by a stillunidentified assailant in Barangay Poblacion, Alegria town.

Last June 19, PO2 Melchizedek Batomalaque was shot and killed also by motorcycle-riding assailants in Barangay Daan Lungsod, Toledo City.

The three slain policemen were implicated in illegal drug activities.