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Friday, May 16, 2003
Suspected vigilantes kill, burn man
By Rex C. Otero
DAVAO -- A man was shot several times and later burned by suspected vigilantes reportedly operating in the same manner as the so-called Davao Death Squad in Sitio Ubat in Barangay Catalunan Grande, Davao City on Wednesday night.
The Talomo police had difficulty identifying the body of the victim since his face had been badly burnt and only the shoe on his left foot remained intact.
Residents in the area also failed to recognize the victim, who authorities believed was killed nearby and brought to the lonely spot by his assailants.
According to police investigators, a certain Cheryl Ann Marcellones, 23, found the victim beside the road around 5:30 a.m.
Police said the victim sustained several gunshot wounds all over his body, an indication that he was shot repeatedly then doused with kerosene and burned.
Ponciano Tabas, a resident who lives near the scene of the crime, said he heard several gunshots around 1 a.m. Recovered were six empty shells of .45 caliber pistol, a lighter and a bottle that smelled of kerosene.
The victim was brought to the Angel Funeral Parlor.
On Thursday morning, a young man, bearing a gunshot wound on the head, was found floating on the shores of Maglana Compound in Barangay Duterte.
Pandemonium ensued when residents in the area saw the dead body of Rene Tidalgo, 20, a resident of the barangay around 5 a.m.
According to initial investigation by the Sta. Ana police, the victim had bruises on his face and a gunshot wound of an unknown caliber on the right side of his head. Tidalgo was brought to the Medical Mission Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Ressan Libre, the victim's cousin, told police the last time she saw Tidalgo was around 1 a.m. He was walking along the Sta. Cruz road in the direction of San Vicente and holding a bottle of beer.
Authorities have yet to identify the suspects but believed personal grudge was the motive in the killing. Tidalgo was shot on both feet two months ago and brought to the Ricardo Limso Hospital.
Investigators believe Tidalgo knew his assailant. The victim's body was brought to the Patalinghug Funeral Parlor. Sun.Star Davao
(May 16, 2003 issue)
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