‘Broker’ of pilfered items shot dead by motorcycle-riding assailant

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A man suspected of brokering the sale of stolen items was shot dead early morning of July 18, 2023, in La Paz, Iloilo City.

Arturo Pabilona, 37, of Barangay San Nicolas, La Paz, was walking in an alley several meters away from his home when a lone gunman shot him at close range.

The gunman was driving a motorcycle and then stopped a meter away from Pabilona before shooting the latter.

Pabilona’s older brother told investigators that the victim left their home at around 1 a.m. of the same day.

He claimed that it was nothing new to them and they didn’t bother to ask where he would go.

A friend claimed to have seen Pabilona walking alone along Luna Street, La Paz. The victim even waved at him.

It was at around 2:50 a.m. when residents heard at least three gunfire volleys.

Pabilona was then found sprawled on the pavement with gunshot injuries on the side of his body, abdomen, and back.

Police recovered three empty ammunition shells at the crime scene.

Pabilona was rushed to West Visayas State University Medical Center but was pronounced dead at 3:30 a.m.

Captain Johna Aguil, Iloilo City Police Station 2 chief, said they could not rule on any motive yet.

The suspect remains unidentified, too.

Aside from allegedly brokering the sale of pilfered items, Pabilona was also tagged in petty theft cases.

“He’s been known to steal vegetables or fruits and later sold them,” Aguil said.

He was also a frequent “guest” of the ICPS2 lock-up cell for alarm and scandal.

“Palahubog ni siya kag nagama-oy. We’ve been called for police assistance when he went unruly. Sometimes, barangay officials placed him in detention for safekeeping,” Aguil said.

While Pabilona is not on the watchlist of illegal drug peddlers, he’s family admitted that he used illegal drugs.