Robbery suspect gunned down in Cebu after posting bail

CEBU CITY, Philippines—A robbery suspect was gunned down at the foot of the Marcelo Fernan Bridge in Lapu-Lapu City past 4 p.m. Friday, shortly after he posted bail, police said.

Justin Avenceña, 20, died on the spot after he was repeatedly shot by one of the two men on a motorcycle, said Inspector Wilson Abot, chief of the Mandaue City Police’s Station 5.

Avenceña, who had been linked to at least six robberies in Mandaue City, had just been to the Palace of Justice in Lapu-Lapu to post bail for robbery charges filed against him. He and his cousin, Edwin Callo,  boarded a taxi and headed to Mandaue City.

He noticed, however,  that he was being followed by two men on a motorcycle, police said. As the taxi was about to make a u-turn to the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, the motorcycle stopped at the right side of the cab where Avenceña was seated.

Avenceña immediately got off the taxi when he saw one of the assailants point a gun at him and climbed onto the back of an Isuzu Elf cargo truck.  He then moved to the driver’s side, passing through the window.

But the truck driver stopped when he saw the two men blocking the road, according to the police.

The driver and two truck boys ducked for cover when the assailant fired. The bullets ripped through the windshield and hit Avenceña in the head and chest.