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Thursday, June 19, 2003
Mayor unsympathetic to deaths of 4 'thieves'
By Aurea A. Gerundio and Gwen P. Posadas
DAVAO -- Two more theft suspects were shot dead in separate incidents that happened less than 12 hours apart in Davao City, bringing to four the number of victims of summary killings in just three days.
Reports have it that the series of executions are the handiwork of "vigilantes."
But even as this developed, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte remained unfazed, saying the victims had been "in and out" of prison.
"Pagkahibalo nako in and out na sa prisohan 'tong nangamatay," he said. "Wala ko'y luha para sa mga gipamatay na dautan or related sa illegal drugs." (As far as I know, those killed are regulars of our prison. I don't cry when persons into illegal activities gets killed.)
The latest victim in the series of summary executions victimizing crime suspects or convicts was theft suspect Alberto Sabanal Jr., 21, alias "Alkings", of Lao St., Toril, Davao City who was shot dead shortly after noon Wednesday inside the Toril Public Market.
Sabanal has been in and out of the Maa City Jail from 1998 up to 2001 for robbery cases. He was on probation when he was killed.
The body of another theft suspect was found dumped along Lapanday Road in Tigatto, Buhangin in Davao City around 2 a.m. Wednesday, hours after he was released by Sta. Ana police.
Sajid Aldeguer, 32, native of Digos City, and resident of San Vicente Ferrer, Brgy 21-C, Piapi Boulevard, sustained gunshot wounds in different parts of his body.
Aldeguer and his companion Roberto Oquias, 29, were arrested Saturday after they were accused of snatching the cellular phone of a certain Joyce Gabrinao.
They were released around 6 p.m. Tuesday after no formal complaint was filed against them. Oquias was released earlier.
On Monday afternoon, motorcycle-riding men shot dead two suspected pickpockets -- Godofredo Rabia and Wilfredo Gabia. The two boarded a passenger vehicle along Quimpo minutes after their release from detention at the headquarters of Heinous Crime and Investigation Section.
HCIS operatives arrested the two theft suspects Saturday afternoon after they were caught in the act stealing a wallet near the Victoria Plaza in Bajada, Davao City.
They were released Monday afternoon after the complainant failed to file charges against them.
Not bothered?
Asked to comment on the series of executions of theft suspects, Duterte, seemed not bothered, tossed a question back to City Hall reporters.
"Unsa'y ilang sala?" he asked. (What is their crime?)
When he was told the victims were theft suspects, one of whom was also involved in illegal drugs (referring to Sabanal), the city mayor replied: "Mao ba? Paimbestigahan sa pulis." (Is that so? I will have that investigated by police.)
He encouraged relatives of the victims to file charges in court if they believed some policemen are involved in the killings.
"Maybe, they (the relatives) can complain officially. Pero sa pagkahibalo nako in and out na sa prisohan 'tong nangamatay," Duterte said. (As far as I know, those killed have been coming in and out of prison.)
Sabanal and his friends were singing using a videoke machine placed along an alley on the second level of Toril market when the incident happened at around 12:30 Wednesday.
Jovy Ann Nofal, Sabanal's companion, said they saw two men moving in their direction, but only one approached them and without provocation shot the victim on his head.
"Duha man to sila pero isa lang ang misaka, medyo taason nga payat og nakaputi nga t-shirt," Nofal said. (There were two of them but only one came up. He was tall, a little thin and wearing a white shirt.)
When the victim fell from his seat, the suspect shot him again but hit instead Robert Inayangan, 24, who was seated near Sabanal. Inayangan was hit on his ribcage and was immediately taken to the Davao Medical Center.
Sabanal was taken to the St. John Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. He was then brought to the Angel Funeral Homes in Toril.
Police said the suspects immediately fled after the incident.
Sabanal has been in and out of the Maa City Jail from 1998 up to 2001 for robbery cases.
Lucia Sabanal, the victim's mother, said his son was out on probation, which expired last month.
"Kanang akong anak, latagaw gyud na siya, sige og lakaw pero dili ko kabalo," Lucia said. (My son comes and goes. Sometimes, I don't even know where he went to.)
PO3 Efren Pitogo of the Toril Police Precinct said two empty shells of a .45 caliber pistol gun were recovered at the crime scene.
Police believed Sabanal was the target while Inayangan was accidentally shot.
Pitogo said Sabanal was often detained in their precinct for theft.
"Kadaghan na man na nasulod diri kana si Sabanal kawat ang kaso," Pitogo. (Sabanal has been detained several times; the crime was always thievery.)
He said they are still looking into the background of Inayangan. Police have yet to establish the motive of the killing and identities of the suspects.
Chief Inspector Filmore Escobal, Sta. Ana police chief, said they released Aldeguer from detention after no formal complaint was filed against him.
Escobal said Aldeguer's modus operandi was to snatch cellular phones and wallet inside jeepneys.
"Ang trabaho ana nila sa PUJ dikit-dikitan ang pasahero unya magtabon lang ng folder pero laslason na diay ang bulsa," Escobal said. (Their usual act is to sit beside a passenger and using a folder as cover, slash their bags or pockets.)
Aldeguer was twice detained at Sta. Ana Precinct last week for theft cases.
(June 19, 2003 issue)
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