CRIME rates across the country dropped significantly as a result of community quarantines and lockdowns. But violent crime involving the use of firearms did not stop. In Cebu, at least seven men were “liquidated” by unidentified suspects from April 2 to 19. At least three of the victims had a connection — past or current — to drugs. Other shooting and stabbing incidents resulting in death have occurred since then but except for the May 11 fatal shooting of 28-year-old Ardel Mariquit in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19)-hit Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City, extrajudicial killings (EJK) have declined in numbers in Cebu in recent weeks.

Among the cases in April, two were double murders. On April 2, Renato Evangelista and Dexter Ronamo were shot dead in the town of Argao. They were waiting out the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) there with relatives. Evangelista, who hailed from Mandaue City, had been arrested for drugs and was out of jail due to a plea bargain agreement. The two men were sitting outside the house of an acquaintance when a bonnet-wearing man arrived on a motorcycle and shot them dead.