By Jennifer P. Rendon
A 31-year waiter was shot dead by motorcycle-riding suspects in Molo, Iloilo City early morning of July 11.
Alejandro Panes, Jr., a resident of Barangay Dulonan, Arevalo, sustained a gunshot wound on the lower left portion of his back and an exit wound on the right side of his abdomen.
Police reports indicated Panes was driving his motorcycle when riding-in-tandem gunmen tailed him from work.
Panes usually clocked out before 3 a.m. at MO2 Restobar at Smallville Complex in Mandurriao district.
As the victim was navigating Barangay North Fundidor in Molo district, the suspect shot him.
Barangay tanods (village watchmen) in the area claimed to have heard two gunshots at the time of the incident.
One bullet pierced the windshield of a parked sedan.
Panes managed to drive back to a gasoline station in Molo district.
He was allegedly blowing his horn around a hundred meters from the gasoline station to signal for help.
A tricycle driver took the victim to Iloilo Doctors’ Hospital where he died shortly later.
Police recovered a deformed lead slug of unknown caliber and a deformed metal jacket from the slug.
Captain Benjie Dicen, Iloilo City Police Station 4 chief, said they’re still investigating the motive of the incident and the perpetrators of the crime.
“Hambal ni Tatay niya, buot ni ang biktima kag wala man sila nabal-an mga kontra o nakaaway niya,” he said.
Dicen said they would also talk to Panes’ co-workers for additional information.
Based on the CCTV footages, the two suspects fled towards Arevalo district
The victim left three children aged 7, 6, and 3 years old to his live-in partner who works abroad.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Lindley Barrientos, Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) deputy city director for administration, said that she already ordered investigators of ICPS 4, 5, and 6 to help in investigating the incident.
The ICPO City Intelligence Unit will also augment the probe.
