Blotter

FIRE RAZES 5 HOUSES IN SAMBOAN

FIVE houses were destroyed in New Year’s Eve fire in barangay Poblacion, Samboan town, southern Cebu.

Fire damage was pegged at P300,000.

Electrical misuse could be the cause of fire, said SFO2 Molilito Leceña.

Leceña said the fire started at the house of Pepe Dingal.

In Cebu City, two houses were also razed by fire on Jan. 1.

At least P150,000 in property was destroyed./CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON

EX-POLICE ASSET KILLED on NEW YEAR’S DAY

A 33-YEAR-OLD man was killed in a New Year’s day shooting incident in barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City.

Marno Datuleyta was drinking with friends in front of a car wash shop on Plaridel Street when he was shot by two motorcycle-riding men.

The victim was a former police asset of the Basak Police Station.

Prior to the attack, the victim’s friends figured in a heated argument with another man around 3 a.m., said Senior Insp. Genilo Veraque, chief of the Basak police.

Datuleyta went to the police station to report the commotion.

Accompanied by police, Datuleyta returned to the place where they were having a drinking session but the argument had already stopped.

Police then left but advised Datuleyta to leave so he would not be involved in the trouble.

Datuleyta opted to stay and continued drinking with friends.

An hour later, two men on a motorcycle arrived and fired shots at the group.

The victim was hit in both thighs and left ankle. A passerby was also hit in the right hand.

The two were taken to the Mandaue City Hospital where Datuleyta was declared dead.

Spent shells and a live bullet of a 9mm caliber pistol were recovered in the crime scene.

An investigation is in progress to arrest the assailants, police said./CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA