Reward dangles for info on Kalibo credit collector’s shooting

AKLAN – Police are investigating the killing of Julius Andrade Cuesta, who was shot to death in broad daylight in Barangay Caano, Kalibo, Aklan on Tuesday, March 12.

The 30-year-old resident of Barangay Tambak, New Washington, Aklan was onboard his motorcycle when he was killed by unidentified motorcycle-riding suspects at around 8 a.m.

Cuesta had just left for work in Kalibo when the two suspects reportedly drove beside him and started shooting. He was a credit investigator and collector at a motorcycle dealership in downtown Kalibo.

Police said the suspects monitored the movements of Cuesta while the latter was traveling along the provincial highway, or Jaime Cardinal L. Sin Avenue.

The suspects reportedly fled towards the interior areas of Barangay Nalook after the shooting.

Cuesta suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was declared dead upon arrival at Aklan’s provincial hospital.

Kalibo deputy chief of police Major Willian Aguirre urged the public to come forward for any information on this shooting.

“Magbibigay si New Washington mayor Jessica P a n a m b o n g P 5 0 , 0 0 0 bilang reward money sa mga impormasyon sa paglutas ng krimen,” Aguirre said in a press briefing on Tuesday a f t ernoon. “Nasundan ang biktima, nabantayan malapit sa kanilang bahay. Itong mga suspects nacasing nila ang biktima.”

At the hospital, police recovered a wristwatch, a cell phone, P4,750 in cash in various denominations, a lighter, sunglasses, a pocket Bible, a headset, collection receipts, and a wallet from the victim’s sling bag.

Aguirre stressed that the police are still looking for surveillance videos in public areas to identify the suspects.

“It is premature for us to conclude that the suspects were also involved in other shooting incidents in Kalibo. Sa ngayon, kumakalap din tayo ng mga witnesses at maging ang retrieval ng mga messages s a c e l l phone ng biktima,” he added.

Kalibo mayor Juris Sucro also proceeded to the crime scene and directed Kalibo chief of police Lieutenant Colonel Ricky Bontogon to ramp up the investigation into the shooting./

A credit collector was shot dead by motorcycle-riding gunmen on Tuesday morning, March 12, in Kalibo, Aklan. Authorities are offering reward money for those who can provide information leading to the arrest of the suspects.