5 killed, 2 injured in separate incidents in Cebu City, Province

FIVE men were killed in separate incidents last Friday – three after they were shot dead while two after their heads were crushed in motorcycle accidents.

In Cebu City, Emmanuel Soccobos died after motorcycle-riding men shot him while he was walking in Barangay Cogon-Pardo at 5:15 p.m.

Soccobos, 38, reportedly had a mental illness, initial investigation led by homicide investigator SPO2 Wetzil Berry showed.

PO3 Enrico Quirante, who was part of the investigation team, said the victim’s relatives had no idea w hy the victim was attacked.

Four hours later, Leonardo Gesmen, 43, was also shot to death in front of his girlfriend by three unidentified men near the Taboan Public Market in Barangay San Nicolas Proper.

Gesmen was reportedly holding P15,000 cash when the three suspects, each wearing a bonnet, approached him.

The victim’s 14-year-old girlfriend told homicide investigators that the cash was supposed to be given to a certain “Marlon” in the public market.

But instead of Marlon, the suspects showed up.

In Balamban and Toledo City, vehicular accidents claimed the lives of two men and injured four others in the same night.

Jaile Ocampo died after his motorcycle clashed with another bike at 11 p.m.

Initial investigation by PO2 Romeo Jaranilla of the Toledo Police Station and traffic enforcer Elmer Abella said Ocampo tried to overtake another vehicle before the incident happened.

The other motorbike was driven by Giant King Roche, who had as passengers Jerson and Glen Arrojo, residents of Barangay Guadalupe in Cebu City.

Roche was on his way to the city proper that time.

Roche, Jerson and Glen were injured while Ocampo died.

In Balamban, Gelford Apas, 23, died while his passenger Helmar Delima, 20, was injured after his motorcycle figured in an accident in Barangay Arpili on the same night.

Apas lost control of the motorbike as he was reportedly speeding.

Delima was confined at the Balamban District Hospital for serious physical injuries.

Earlier in the day, an ex-convict was found dead in Barangay Tungkop, Minglanilla at past 6 a.m.

Identified as Cesario Bacus, 49, the victim had reportedly been involved in illegal drug activities.

The victim reportedly received death threats before, according to PO3 Vincent Alinabo, who first received a call for assistance to check Bacus’ body found slumped in the area. DTJ