2 frat members shot dead in Busay

Two alleged members of a fraternity group, one of them a minor, were shot dead by unidentified motorcycleriding men in Nivel Hills, Busay, Cebu City on Thursday evening.

Police Senior Officer 1 Winston Ybañez identified the victims as Benedicto Tabarno Jr., 19, and Pierce Ulivas, 15, who are both residents of Barangay Busay.

Ybañez said that the two victims were with their friends having a drinking session when two unidentified men on board in a motorcycle arrived and shot the victims several times.

"Matod pa sa mga saksi kay rapid daw ni ang pagkapusil sa mga biktima," said Ybañez.

The victims suffered several gunshot wounds to different parts of their bodies and were killed on the spot.

The police were able to recover a total of 16 empty shells of caliber 9 mm and one slug at the crime scene.

Ybañez said that they are now eyeing the possibility of frat war as motive behind the shooting incident after they found out that the victims met a heated argument with some members of rival fraternity group last Saturday during the fiesta celebration in Busay.

"Based sa among investigation nga kaning si Benedicto ug Ulivas naa daw ni silay nakaaway during sa fiesta adtong miaging adlaw. So mao to ang kaning mga biktima kay miyembro og frat unya ang ilang nakabikil kay miyembro sad og fraternity," said Ybañez.

The Cebu City government will call the fraternity leaders in the city to investigate and verify the ongoing “gang war” in Barangay Busay.

City Councilor David Tumulak, deputy mayor for police matters, said Mayor Tomas Osmeña wants to meet with these leaders to discuss ways to resolve the reported “gang war.”

“Nagsugod na nga there was an incident nga nakulatahan ang isa ka member sa fraternity pag Sinulog. Unya ni baws ang laing fraternity pod,” he told reporters.

Tumulak said the city government respects the existence of established and known fraternities such as Tau Gamma Phi - Tau Gamma Sigma and Alpha Kappa Rho.

However, he said the city wants to request to these fraternities not to resort to crime if there's feud against its members.

He said the strict enforcement of curfew ordinance will also be a big help in addressing the “gang war.”

Ybañez added that prior to the fiesta incident, the victims and the suspects were already having prior altercation.

"Before fiesta kay sige na kuno sila og awayaway," Ybañez said.

He added that they are now tracking the two friends of the victims who were there during the fiesta altercation to identify the possible suspects.

Meanwhile, with the series of gang war incidents reported recently, Police Regional Office (PRO) -7 Chief Robert Quenery said that he directed the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) to intensify and enforce appropriate ordinances to avoid the same incidents.

"Seryosohin and dapat pro-active tayo. Tsaka dapat immediate response, iyon ang directive ko sa kanila," said Quenery.

On Monday, the Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention will also meet the chief of tanods of all 80 barangays in the city to discuss the implementation of the ordinance.

Also yesterday, Quenery paid a courtesy call on Osmeña.

During his visit, Quenery said the mayor told him that PRO and Cebu City Police Office should implement and intensify the enforcement of fight against illegal drugs and criminalities in the city and province.

“There are programs that he would like to have it implemented especially the illegal drugs and yung mga crimes like shooting incidents. Also, he would like to see quick response of our policemen in all cases be it domestic one or crimes that are really committed,” he added.