Vendor found dead in Mandurriao; pal suspect

ILOILO City – Police are still searching for a potential motive behind the death of 37- year- old Gino Dubria, an ambulant bread vendor.

Dubria was found lifeless on Wednesday night, Feb. 14, in a vacant lot in Barangay Calajunan, Mandurriao district.

Iloilo City Police Station 5 chief Captain Val Cambel said they discovered strangulation marks on the victim’s neck, as well as cuts on his nose and chin.

There were no obvious traces of gunshot, stabbing or hacking wounds on the body, Cambel added, noting that it is likely that Dubria was struck on the head.

Dubria’s family suspects Rodel Cayang, 35, a friend of the victim and also a bread vendor, as the person behind the killing.

Both Cayang and Dubria temporarily reside in Barangay Tabuc Suba, Jaro district, but are natives of Barangay Panpanan 1, San Remegio, Antique, where Cayang is also believed to have fled.

The two reportedly went out for a drinking spree on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 13. After which, on board a motorcycle driven by Dubria, they headed to Monte Rosa Residential Estate in Mandurriao.

It was still unclear what transpired between the two from the last time the victim was seen alive until Wednesday afternoon.

The family later sought help from the police authorities and village watchmen after the suspect seemed to have hinted at Dubria’s relatives of the latter’ s whereabouts. The motorcycle was also nowhere to be found.

Tabuc Suba barangay captain Joel J abonillo, meanwhile, said the two have no prior records in the village.

Investigation was ongoing as of this writing./