LUNA, Apayao – A 38-year old farmer and a listed drug personality died after he was allegedly gunned down by two still unidentified gunmen in front of a gasoline station at Quirino, here, recently.
Police authorities identified the victim as Jefferson Siriban Arnedo, 38, married, farmer and a resident of Turod, Luna, Apayao.
Initial police investigation showed the victim was driving his motorcycle en route to barangay San Isidro Sur when he was tailed by two still unidentified motorcycle-riding armed men.
Upon reaching the gasoline station, the armed men allegedly peppered the victim with bullets from their respective short firearms that caused him to be sprawled bloodied on the pavement before fleeing towards barangay San Isidro Sur.
The victim was subsequently rushed by concerned bystanders to a local hospital but he was pronounced dead on arrival after sustaining 18 gunshot wounds on the different parts of his body that caused his instantaneous death.
Responding police operatives and elements of the Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) team recovered from the crime scene seven spent shells of a caliber .45 pistol which was used by the suspects in the perpetration of the crime.
The victim was said to be a listed drug personality in the locality by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and recovered from his possession were two live ammunitions and his personal money.
By DEXTER a. See