Illegal drugs, revenge eyed in theft suspect’s murder

The Cebu City police are pursuing two possible motives in the murder of Michael Reyes, who was gunned down  on board a taxi in barangay Lorega-San Miguel past noon Monday.

Revenge and illegal drugs are two theories, said Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, chief of the City Intelligence Branch (CIB) of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).

Reyes was out on bail on theft charges after he was arrested in Cebu City  with Edward Teves for allegedly stealing the LCD TV set, cable box and remote control of Allure Hotel in Mandaue City.

Police said that according to Rey Vincent Aquino, the victim’s companion in the taxi,  Reyes failed to remit proceeds of illegal drugs amounting to P120,000.

Aquino was with Reyes  in the taxi when  a motorcycle approached and its backrider fired several shots at the passengers.

Reyes suffered several  gunshot wounds in the body.

Aquino managed to disembark and  was unharmed.

Santander said investigators are also looking at the possibility that the murder had something to do with  two  drive-by shootings in barangays Guadalupe and Labangon early morning of  Saturday.

Santander said Reyes’ features matched the witnesses’ description of the gunman in the drive-by shootings,  where three persons were wounded.