Spate of Shooting Incidents in Cebu City Targeting Drug Traffickers, Police Say

A series of shooting incidents that occurred in Cebu City over the weekend has been deemed by the police as non-alarming. According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Janette Rafter, the deputy city director for operations at the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), these incidents specifically targeted individuals involved in illegal drug trafficking, rather than being indiscriminate attacks.

The first incident took place at the corner of A. Lopez and Katipunan Street on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at approximately 3:25 p.m. The victim, 40-year-old Steve Rodriguez from Barangay Pardo, Cebu City, was shot by an unidentified gunman wielding a 9mm pistol. Unfortunately, Rodriguez succumbed to his injuries.

Police Major Francis Renz Talosig, the chief of the Sawang Calero Police Station, revealed that the victim had a previous arrest record from June 20, 2023, related to illegal drugs. Investigations indicate that Rodriguez had arranged to meet an individual known only by the alias “Negro” at the time of the incident.

The second shooting incident occurred on Sunday, November 12, 2023, at around 8:09 p.m. This time, the incident took place in Sitio Sto. Niño, Barangay Labangon, where Rico Entoma Filoteo, a suspected drug pusher, was targeted and killed by assailants riding a motorcycle. Filoteo was standing by the roadside when he was shot in the head.

The third victim, identified as 53-year-old Georsua Geraldine Labiste, was shot at approximately 11:20 p.m. on the same day along M. Velez Street, Barangay Guadalupe. The police are currently reviewing CCTV footage from the area to help identify the shooter.

The Cebu City Police Office is actively investigating these incidents and is committed to maintaining peace and order in the city. While the shootings have caused concern among locals, the police have assured the public that they are taking every necessary measure to ensure the safety of Cebu City residents.

It is crucial to address the root causes of these incidents, such as illegal drug trafficking, to prevent further violence and protect the community. Authorities are working diligently to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

As the investigation continues, the police are urging anyone with information related to these shooting incidents to come forward and assist in the resolution of these cases. Cooperation from the community will greatly aid law enforcement efforts in ensuring the safety and security of Cebu City.

(AYB, TPT)