Couple killed in Lapu ambush

Amulticab driver and his female partner were gunned down by an unidentified assailant in barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City, where the couple lived.

Petronilo Wagas, 37, and Esie Villegas, 40, died on the spot after suffering multiple gunshot wounds Wednesday night.

Nothing was stolen.

The ambush may be related to a neighbor’s domestic conflict where Villegas intervened last month.

Police are looking into this angle after Anita Robe, older sister of Villegas, recalled that her sister helped a neighbor who was attacked by another female neighbor in sitio Good Shepherd.

Robe said the angry husband of the woman who attacked her neighbor threatened that anyone who would stand as a witness in the incident would be shot in the head.

The threat and the attack were reported to the barangay, said police.

Police said a complaint was filed with the barangay, and Villegas had been accompanying the victim to the hearing.

A security guard who saw Wednesday’s attack said Wagas was driving his multicab past the establishment he was guarding when the gunman, wearing a full-faced helmet, opened fire at the couple.

The gunman fled on a black motorcycle driven by an accomplice.

Police recovered seven empty shells and two slugs of a .45 caliber pistol, a paper bag and a gun holster in the crime scene

Police are looking into personal grudges as a possible motive for the ambush.

A text message in Villegas’ cell phone could be a clue in the murder. The message came from mobile number 0916-6161484.

Police are calling on individuals who could help identify the owner of the mobile number. Informants may contact mobile number 0923-8997086, said police.

The victims’ families are offering a cash reward to informants who can help solve the case./CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA