Juvenile drug suspect shot dead in Barangay Mabolo

A 13-YEAR-OLD boy who was allegedly selling illegal drugs was shot and killed by two unidentified assailants at Sitio Lahing-Lahing 2, Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, around 10:30 p.m., Monday, October 28, 2024.

The victim was identified as Kenjie de Jesus.

He was due to celebrate his 14th birthday on October 30 and had saved £500 to buy food for the occasion.

According to an investigation conducted at the Mabolo Police Station, residents reported hearing three shots from the crime scene.

Witnesses say the victim left the house when the perpetrators in caps arrived and shot him. They shot again as he fell to the ground.

The neighbor, 46-year-old carpenter Arogante Nolia, claimed he was about to go to sleep when he went outside to see what was happening and found the injured victim lying lifeless.

The Scene Operations Team (SOCO) recovered three empty bullet casings at the crime scene as well as 13 packets of alleged shabu from the victim’s pocket.

The victim’s mother revealed that her son had been involved in illegal drug activities since the age of nine. She stated that he was her only child and that she had already asked him to give up, but he didn’t listen.

Although she sent him to Mabolo Primary School, he often returned home instead of attending classes. However, during questioning she refused to provide further details.

“Kabalo ko ana sir pero dili lang ko mosulti kay ako nasad ang isunod sa gpatay,” she said.

(I know that, sir, but I won’t say it for fear of being killed next.)

According to the head of the Mabolo Police Station, Major Romeo Caacoy Jr., investigators are currently investigating whether the victim transferred the proceeds of illegal drug sales. He said he was not surprised to see younger people involved in illegal drug activities because they could not be charged in court.

Caacoy added that an investigation is ongoing to identify the perpetrators. (AYB)