A controversial former mayoral candidate and businessman of San Fernando town, Cebu, was shot dead in Cebu City on Friday, January 1, at lower Fulton Street in Barangay Apas around 6:08 pm. 

Ruben and his nephew Kim Feliciano were both shot in the incident. 

Ruben Feliciano died on the spot, while Kim Feliciano was rushed to the hospital and is in stable condition.

Police Captain Renz Talosig, chief of the Mabolo police station which oversees Barangay Apas, told Rappler in a phone interview Ruben Feliciano was shot on the right side of his body and arm. 

A cousin of Ruben’s ex-wife identified the body and confirmed it was the same Feliciano who ran – and lost – against Lakimbini “Neneth” Reluya in the 2019 election.

Lakimbini was also ambushed in 2019 in Talisay City, Cebu. Her husband Ricardo Reluya, a councilor at the time, who was riding in the van with Neneth, was killed in the ambush.

Feliciano was the subject of a two-part investigative series on killings in San Fernando town, Cebu.

Less than a week before Ricardo – also known as “Nonoy” – was killed, he showed local reporters screenshots of threatening Facebook comments allegedly posted by Neneth’s rival, Ruben Feliciano.

Nonoy claimed Feliciano was behind the death threats he had received. Nonoy told Sunstar: “He [Feliciano] also said, ‘I will kill you all.’ I did not make these up because Feliciano posted these on social media.”

Feliciano, who denied any involvement in the killing, was cleared of involvement in the ambush.

At least 3 other local politicians who were accused of being involved in the illegal drug trade were killed in Cebu during the election season.

Police do not yet know if Feliciano’s murder is related to politics, but said they would review the CCTV footage on Saturday, January 2. –  Rappler.com