Drug war eyed in Pit-os ambush

The police are looking at drug war as the possible motive in the killing of a 26-year-old man in Barangay Pit-os, Cebu City last Sunday afternoon.

Cebu City Police Office Director Royina Garma told reporters that victim Joselito Junio was allegedly involved in the illegal drug business.

"I received an information na parang involved siya sa illegal drug trading. Not only in Cebu, but also outside PRO-7. So medyo malalim ang network and link. Considering maybe it's a drug war between two groups," Garma said.

Garma said Junio came from Calbayog, Samar and may have crossed seas to get away from the police in his area.

However, he may have stepped on the wrong drug turf and angered competitors that resulted in the attack.

Junio had just gone out of a subdivision he was staying when four unidentified assailants waylaid him, while he was onboard a black Toyota Innova (YJU 264).

They peppered his vehicle with gunshots resulting in his immediate death.

The police were able to recover at least 22 pieces of fired cartridges of an unknown firearm.

"Lumabas siya sa operation niya sa Samar, so alam naman niya na masyadong tough ang competition dito sa Cebu. I will check the whole background," she said.

Garma explained that most drug personalities on the drug watch list crossed to a nearby island to elude authorities.

"Ang nangyayari ngayon ang taga iba't ibang region pumupunta sa ibang lugar, para siguro iligaw yung police o magtago. Ganyan ang nangyayari sa may involved. We have to work with other regions and intel," she said.

Garma added that most of those who are on the police list of drug suspects are now managing their illegal drug trade remotely, by doing it outside Cebu.

"Hindi lang taga Cebu ang nag-operate. Umalis ang iba and controlling it through phones. Employing others to man the drugs. Well, it means sumikip ang mundo nila," she said.