Illegal drug trade is being looked into as a possible motive in the killing of a store merchandiser in barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City.
Jeboy Papellero, 27, a native of Toledo City, was shot in the head by a motorcycle-riding assailant while he was walking along Butuanon Bridge yesterday morning.
The victim was a merchandiser at Pacific Mall.
PO2 Roldan Balimbing, investigator of the Investigation and Detection Management Branch (IDMB) of the Mandaue City police, said based on the messages found in the victim’s cellphone, someone was hunting Papellero for failing to remit earnings from illegal drugs.
The victim’s cellphone was turned over to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas for further investigation.
The message came from an unregistered number, police said.
The first message was sent at 3:42 a.m. yesterday. It reads: “Boy, basta ako na gani ang tablahon sa mga butang na imo gikuha maningil jud ko. Karon boy panilngon nalang tika sa pamaagi na dili jud nimo maoyonan (Boy, I will really seek payment for something taken from me. Now, I will make you pay in a way that you will never like).”
“Pag bantay-bantay unya boy kay lahi raba ko na maningil (Watch out because I have a different way of seeking payment)”.
A few minutes before he was killed, Papellero received another text message which reads: “Unta kung makuha kag butang nako kahibaw ka mobayad. Tuga-tuga ka ug tulod anang butang unya ug human imu rako tablahon karon paninglan ka gani ka. Aw lahi na paningil imung diay imung gipangita (If you get something from me, make sure you know how to pay. Why would you get something from me when you don’t know how to pay. It seems you’re looking for a different payment).”
Police said when the victim arrived at the mall around 6 a.m., he noticed a motorcycle with two men on board.
A cigarette vendor told police upon seeing the motorcycle, the victim crossed the street and walked toward the Butuanon Bridge.
The two men boarded the motorcycle and followed the victim. The backrider then drew a gun and shot the victim at close range./REPORTER JUCELL MARIE P. CUYOS AND CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA