Two riders shot dead in Pavia town; drugs, P100K cash recovered from victims

Two motorcycle riders were gunned down in Pavia, Iloilo Monday evening, Feb 27, 2023.

Authorities believe that Michael Quizon, 31, of Barangay San Isidro, Jaro, Iloilo; and Kenneth Limbaco, 25, of Barangay Desamparados, Jaro died instantly from multiple gunshot injuries.

Responding police officers took them to Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao, Iloilo City where they were declared dead on arrival.

Major Rolando Araño, Pavia police chief, said they were able to get hold of a security camera footage showing the lone gunman attacking the victims.

The footage showed that the victims were riding a motorcycle and decided to stop at an irrigation road in Barangay Jibao-an, Pavia around 6:30 p.m. Monday.

“That’s why, we assumed that they knew the suspect because they appeared to be relaxed and didn’t show any sign that they were in possible danger,” Araño said.

Shortly later, the gunman arrived on another motorcycle.

The three had a short talk until the suspect pulled a pistol and shot the victims at close range.

The video also showed the suspect immediately leaving without even bothering to bring the victims’ belongings.

Scene of the Crime Operatives later recovered a bag underneath the compartment of the victims’ motorcycle.

The bag contained three sachets of suspected shabu, drug paraphernalia, and around P100,000 cash.

The SOCO team also found documents, a mobile phone, five fired cartridges and two deformed slugs of caliber .45 ammunition.

Given that shabu and drug paraphernalia were seized from the victims, Araño said it’s likely that illegal drugs could be the motive in the incident.

But Araño said they’re still checking if Quizon and Limbaco were involved in the drug trade.

Quizon, who came from Batangas, used to reside in Barangay Ticud, La Paz, and later relocated to San Isidro village. He allegedly worked as an Angkas rider.

Quizon’s brother said he is unaware of why someone wanted the victim dead.

On the other hand, Limbaco’s father claimed that he did not know about his son’s possible link to illegal drugs.

Jobless, Limbaco used to frequent basketball games.

As this developed, Araño said they already have persons of interest in the incident, but he refused to give further details.