BY MA THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – A resident of Barangay Boulevard in Molo district died on the spot in a shooting incident yesterday morning, April 10.
Victim Zaldimer Helliga, a driver, succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds, Iloilo City Police Office spokesperson Major Shella Mae Sangrines confirmed to Panay News.
The alleged motive behind the killing was illegal drugs.
Authorities revealed that Helliga and the suspect, Gerardo Sofia Jr., have prior drug-related offenses.
Helliga was arrested in 2016, while Sofia was apprehended in 2017 and reportedly entered into a plea bargaining agreement.
Boulevard punong barangay John Villanueva Sr. also verified that both individuals were on the list of the village’s Anti-Drug Abuse Council.
Last week, Melchor Tayco, the uncle of the suspect, was also captured in a drug buy-bust operation by the City Drug Enforcement Unit in Molo district, with suspected shabu valued at P2.4 million seized.
According to Sangrines, surveillance camera footage indicated that the suspect fled towards Arevalo district.
A pursuit operation led by the Molo police against the suspect has been launched./PN
