BUTUAN City residents are clamoring for the local government to put a stop to wanton violence, following a series of shooting incidents, including the recent killing of another popular basketball player.

Forty-three-year-old Jerry John Apas, dubbed as the Allan Caidic of Butuan City for his propensity to hit baskets from the three-point line, fell dead at the hands of another two shooters ― the cold-blooded ones ― who pumped at least seven bullets into his body on fateful Thursday morning.

Witnesses said the victim had just accompanied his wife to the Barangay Hall of Ongyui in downtown Butuan.

But right after leaving the place on his lonesome just some meters away from the hall, he got surprised by two unidentified men who suddenly shot him repeatedly at close range resulting in his instantaneous death.

The spate of unsolved killings in Butuan under the governance of Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada came at the heels of the Philippine National Police order to launch in March 2022 the Anti-Illegal Drugs Operations through Reinforcement and Education (ADORE) wherein police officers will return to the streets to reach illegal drug victims as part of its so-called ‘Endgame Strategy.’

One Argil Robles took to social media to air her apprehension as tension gripped Butuan City.

“Kahadlok na ba sa Butuan oi halos naa patay permi,” feared Robles and so fellow netizens Lyn Otero Miranda, Jocelyn Tiongco and Jerom Nube Layson as they labelled the Timber City of Caraga region as if “mora’g walay pulis.”

Apas’ perpetrators left a placard near his body with the message “Drug adik, salot sa lipunan” making it appear like the usual summary execution method.

Although Apas had been previously linked to using illegal drugs, as his wife swore he ceased being one for already one year, the veteran cager was a certified “idol” or “role model” in Butuan as he inspired so many youngsters to engage in sports and develop their hoop skills.

“Apas was a pure outside shooter and a champion that's why he had so many fans and admirers, though he was past his prime at 40 up. He was active in our every Saturday ball session in Butuan among ex-varsity players,” said former MBA (Metropolitan Basketball Association) aspirant Loloy Fortun.

“He was really good in basketball,” affirmed Butuan coach and trainer Gary Logen Radaza.

Butuan City Councilor, lawyer Ehrnest John Sanchez, and chairman of the committee on police and public safety had strongly condemned the brutal killing.

“So sad day for us and the rest of the basketball community of this city. A fellow brethren was gunned down just this morning along Montilla Blvd, one of the busiest main thoroughfares in our place. It is unimaginable that these cold-blooded perpetrator/s managed to perform this abominable act in the broad daylight and with numerous people around. This is not the first shooting incident that recently transpired and scared our people, but this has to stop. This must be the last.

I am a true believer of the rule of law and the right to due process possessed by any individuals,” posted Sanchez on his Facebook wall.

“Walay balaod nga nag-ingun nga ang tao if makasala patyon, kundi ang balaod nagsugo nga ang nakasala dakpon ug kasohan. I am respectfully urging our govt authorities incharge of the investigation to act swiftly in bringing those responsible to justice. As an old adage says, ‘justice delayed is a justice denied.’ Rest easy igsuon Jhonjerry Apas,” Sanchez aded.

In April 2020, it can be recalled that former Negros Slashers star player Manuel ‘Maui’ Huelar of the now-defunct MBA League was shot and killed on the spot while working out in a fitness gym in Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City.

At least two unknown assailants reportedly fled from the scene of the broad daylight murder that also remained unsolved to this day.

Huelar, who served as a former village chair of Barangay 35, Bacolod City, got busted in 2016. He then named some politicians who are allegedly involved in the illicit drugs trade before his release from the jail in 2018 after a plea bargain.

On the night of April 15, Cagayan de Oro City sports chief Jaymar Rivera recalled that Huelar was still able to make a phone call to his former coach Jun Noel, who is Mayor Oscar Moreno’s concurrent consultant for his sports program in Cagayan de Oro.

“Coach Jun said Maui's message was unclear because of the poor signal,” Rivera said.

The following day, the erstwhile MBA finalist with his Negros Slashers team was silenced forever.