A 16-year-old son saved his wounded father from certain death at the hands of an unidentified gunman when he shielded his father with his body and begged the gunman to spare his father’s life during a shooting attack last Saturday in Sitio Mohon, Barangay Kawit, Medellin town in northern Cebu.
The gunman was about to finish off the wounded Danilo Montolo, 44, after Montolo fell to the ground when the gunman shot him twice in the back, but Danilo’s son, hugged his wounded father to protect him and pleaded with the gunman to stop and spare his father’s life, said PO3 Marlon Villarin of the Medellin Police Station.
The gunman heeded the son’s pleas, and walked away instead of finishing off Danilo.
Villarin said the gunman followed the father and son at past noon as they headed to the sea to fish.
Before they could reach the shore, the gunman made his move and shot Danilo.
Danilo, who suffered two gunshot wounds in the back, was rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment. He was later transferred to a hospital in Cebu City.
Medellin police, however, are still checking on Danilo’s condition.
Villarin said they are focusing their investigation on two angles which are all related to illegal drugs.
Villarin said that some of the victim’s neighbors claimed that the attack might be linked to the recent arrest of a drug personality in the town.
“The victim has a friend who happen to be an operative of the police, who had been visiting him. Some of the runners of the arrested suspect might have believed that it was Montolo who acted as a spy. But we are still verifying the report,” Villarin told Cebu Daily News.
Villarin said they are looking into allegations that Danilo was attacked because of what his relative had done.
Villarin said that there were reports about the victim’s relative believed to be an illegal drug runner, who allegedly failed to remit his sales to a drug personality operating in the town.
“It could be revenge. He might have been shot to pay for what his relative has done,” said Villarin.
Villarin said they are verifying the reports and possible motives for the attack.
He said during the police interview with the victim’s son, he was hesitant to talk to the police.
Villarin said he might be withholding details of the attack.
“It is possible that the child recognized the suspect but he is not just telling us out of fear,” said Villarin.