2 self-confessed drug users shot dead in Cebu City

RADYO INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

CEBU CITY — Two suspected drug users, who had reportedly surrendered to the police for drug rehabilitation, were shot dead by unknown assailants early Wednesday in two Cebu City villages that were plagued with problems on illegal drugs.

Chrisar Babatid was having a drinking session with friends  around 12:10 a.m. when a man on board a motorcycle shot him several times.

Babatid died of multiple gunshot wounds in the body and head.

Relatives of the victim said Babatid surrendered during the implementation of the Oplan Tokhang last month. (The campaign of the Philippine National Police involves making “house visits” to known drug pushers and drug users in the area and persuading them to surrender to authorities and undergo drug rehabilitation.)

Two hours after, Matt Rizon was shot dead by an unidentified assassin in Barangay Duljo-Fatima. Rizon sustained gunshot wounds in the body.

PO3 Nicolo Gonzales of the Cebu City Police Office’s Homicide Division said Rizon was also a self-confessed drug user who earlier surrendered to the police.

Since July 1, at least 18 suspected drug pushers and users have been shot dead by unknown assailants. SFM