Guard shoots store cashier in Argao

A cashier of a convenience store is still fighting for his life at the hospital after he was allegedly shot by the establishment’s security guard yesterday afternoon in Barangay Poblacion, Argao town, southern Cebu.

Police identified the victim as Reymart Ramirez, 23, a cashier at a 7/11 convenience store and presently residing in Barangay Binlod of the same town, while the suspect was identified as Erwin Labos, a native of Cebu City but is temporarily living in Barangay Lamacan, Argao.

According to Police Officer 3 Benjamin Geyrozaga of Argao Police Station, Ramirez had already been brought to the Isidro Kintanar Memorial Hospital in Argao when responding policemen arrived.

He said Ramirez was later transferred to a hospital in Cebu City for further treatment.

Labos, meanwhile, opted to stay in the premises of the store after the incident and was immediately arrested by the police at around 1:30 p.m. yesterday.

Police were able to recover a .38 caliber revolver from the possession of Labos, who is now detained at Argao Police Station pending the filing of complaint against him at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

Investigation revealed that Ramirez and Labos were embroiled in a heated argument prior to the shooting.

“Nagkalalis kuno ni sila kay nanghilabot ang security guard sa trabaho sa biktima sa pagpanukli (The argument reportedly ensued when the security guard interfered in the victim’s work as a cashier),” Geyrozaga said.

In the middle of the fight, the suspect then shot the victim, hitting his neck, added Geyrozaga.

“Wala pa sad masuta if nagkalalis naba ni sila sa una (We have yet to investigate if the two had a previous fight before yesterday),” he said.