CEBU CITY, Philippines — A 63-year-old barangay councilor of Barangay Sawang Calero in Cebu City landed in jail after he shot dead a 33-year-old man during an argument at past 1 p.m. today, February 14, in the barangay.
Barangay Councilor Benjamin Zabate was arrested in the neighboring barangay of Suba in a hot pursuit operation at 3 p.m. or two hours after Zabate allegedly shot dead Albert Rafols of 280-D Tupaz Street, Barangay Sawang Calero.
Initial investigation showed that Zabate and Rafols had an argument along Magsaysay Extension in the barangay at past 1 p.m.
At the height of their argument, Zabate pulled out a gun and shot Rafols in the chest. Rafols managed to run away from Zabate but he later fell to the ground and lost consciousness.
According to witnesses, after Zabate shot Rafols, the latter fled from the area while bystanders rushed the wounded Rafols to the Cebu City Medical Center where the attending physician declared him dead on arrival.
With the witnesses identifying Zabate as the shooter, police from the Sawang Calero Police Station conducted a hot pursuit operation which led them to Zabate at Sitio Tagotongan, Barangay Suba, Cebu City at 3 p.m., where they arrested him.
Police were still trying to find out the motive of the shooting and to find out where the gun is that the barangay councilor used in the shooting.
Zabate was detained at the Sawang Calero Police Station detention cell pending the filing of charges. /dbs