2 brothers shot dead

A shot in the head and another one in the chest were all it took to kill two brothers in Barangay Punta Princesa, Cebu City dawn yesterday.

The two, identified as Nick and Neil Ong, 25 and 28 years old, respectively, were killed by an unidentified suspect who acted as a customer at a drinking joint where the brothers were hanging out.

The investigator in the case, SPO1 Winston Ybañez, said it appeared that the suspect only wanted to kill Nick and Neil was but collateral damage.

According to witnesses, the gunman who wore a cap and a facemask arrived 30 minutes before the victims did and even ordered two bottles of beer. Later, he approached the victims' table and asked to borrow a lighter.

Right there, he pulled out a gun and shot Nick in the head. He ran from the scene but because Neil ran after him, he fired three more shots, hitting Neil in the chest.

He then sped off on board a motorcycle.

"Ang target gyud ato ang manghud kay kung ang duha pa to, gidungan ra unta to og pusil," Ybañez said.

Witnesses described the gunman to be 5'6 in height and of medium build. He was reportedly wearing a grey shirt at that time.

Ybañez said the gunman may not be a professional gunfor-hire.

"Dili professional kay matod pa sa waiter, nag-order og beer, nagtabon sa nawng. Kung pangutan-on, murag makuyawan… para siguro maisog-isog, imnan daan," he said.

Cops recovered four empty shells of a .9mm caliber firearm from the crime scene. They are eyeing at personal grudge and love triangle as possible motives in the killing.

Councilor Dave Tumulak, deputy mayor for police matters, said the establishment is not well secured. It does not have a security guard and is lit dimly.

"Walay security measures. Gawas nga walay security guard, dili kaayo well-lighted," Tumulak said.

He urged witnesses to come forward and help policemen in identifying the suspect.

"Manghinaot ta, atong kapulisan inabagan sa mga witnesses, nga makahatag og kasulbaran sa hingpit nga pagila sa suspect kay luoy sad kaayo, managsuon baya ni ang mga biktima, aron mahatagan og hustisya ilang kamatayon," Tumulak said.

NO VIOLENT RECORD

Residents of Barangay Talamban, Nick and Neil worked as seafarers, but Nick chose to stop early, said a family member who requested for anonymity. Neil had just arrived in the country about a week ago.

The family member told The FREEMAN the brothers were never linked to anything illegal nor were they violent in any way.

"Mga buotan man ning mga bataa… chicks-chicks lang gyud ni ila… mao ra gyud ni ila kalingawan, niya inom… minyuonon (Neil), ulitawo (Nick)… nakasakay na ang duha niya ang usa (Nick) niundang kay kapoy… ang usa (Neil), nipadayon kay naa na may anak. Bag-o lang ninaog miaging semana," he said.

The family member also said the brothers were never the type to get violent when drunk.

"Sila gyud na ang mag-uban… mag-inom, niya laag… diha na ila hang-out ning bag-ohay so diha mag-imnanan kuyog ilang mga ig-agaw… dili kahibaw mangita og gubot, magkomedyahay ra," he said.

ANOTHER PROBE

Aside from the absence of a security system, Tumulak said what should be looked into is whether or not the establishment has permit to sell alcoholic drinks.

"Karon, atong ipa-check ang permit if naa ba kay daghan kalapasan… gawas nga imnanan, naa ba kaha business permit mag-dispense or pagbaligya og mga ilimnong makahubog so kinahanglan sutaon para kaprotektahan," he said.