Joseph Dumaog, 18, was walking in Sitio Puntod when he was suddenly chased and shot in the head past 6 p.m. on Tuesday night, November 8, 2022.
He was rushed to the hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
Witnesses said the gunman fled the scene.
Staff Sergeant Renato Baldo of the Mambaling Police Station said they had a hard time identifying the victim since no one in the area recognized him.
They later found out that the victim was a resident of Sitio Katipunan, Barangay Labangon, Cebu City.
Based on their initial investigation, Dumaog was arrested in April for illegal gambling.
Baldo said they already have a suspect in Dumaog’s death but they won’t name him while they’re hot pursuit operation is ongoing.
He said they received information that the gunman is a known drug pusher who reportedly cheats his customers by selling them impure shabu.
He said they are focusing on the victim’s possible involvement in the illegal drug trade as a motive for the shooting, but they are not discounting other angles.
Another man died after he was shot in the head in Sitio Naba in the same barangay past 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 9.
Major Jonathan Bethooven Taneo, Mambaling Police Station chief, said they have yet to identify the victim.
He said they received information that the victim was from Barangay Quiot Pardo, but they still have to verify this.
He said the victim reportedly sold rice cakes during the day and worked as a drug runner at night.
Before he was shot, he was seen arguing with someone, Taneo said.
The Mambaling police still do not have a suspect. (BBT/PJB)