A suspected big-time illegal drug personality in Dumaguete City was gunned down by an unknown assailant Monday, at a private wharf in Tampi, Amlan, Negros Oriental.

Philippine National Police provincial director, Senior Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, identified the victim as a Dandan Liu, of Sitio Canday-ong, Barangay Calindagan, Dumaguete, who succumbed to gunshot wounds from a .45 caliber pistol.

Dandan was shot from behind while buying a ticket for Cebu via the Tampi wharf while on board a black Honda Civic, police reports said.

The collector of Maayo Shipping identified as Irvin Retes was also hit in the left arm. Retes was confined at the Silliman University Medical Center for an operation while Dandan died early in the evening.

Buenafe said the victim used several aliases. He told the PNP in Amlan that his name was Dan Rey Lasola Iligan, and at the hospital, he identified himself as Dan Red Somoza Iligan, until one of his friends who rushed to the hospital confirmed that the victim is Dandan Liu.

According to Buenafe, Liu disappeared from Dumaguete several years ago after being tagged as a big-time illegal drug personality and went into hiding either in Cebu or in Mindanao.

Liu’s associates considered him as the “Robinhood” in their place, and vconsidered ery elusive because of his ability to sneak out.

However, in a check with the courts, showed that Liu has no records of being charged for illegal drugs violation.

Several months ago, Liu’s father, Magtanggol was also killed by unidentified triggerman for unknown reasons. Illegal drug transactions have been considered as one of the angles in his death.

Buenafe, however, denied reports Liu was gunned down by so-called vigilante groups.

When asked, relatives of the victim refused to issue any statement.*JG

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