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Saturday, February 04, 2006
3 dead, 1 hurt in Mabalacat gunplay
By Marna H. Dagumboy and Reynaldo G. Navales
* Morales condemns killings, Espina orders manhunt
MABALACAT -- Three young men and another was seriously wounded after four gunmen made them lie on their bellies and shot them in Barangay San Francisco here at dawn Friday.
The loss of the three youths brought the peace-loving residents of Barangay San Francisco into deep shock and sorrow, as they have never before experienced this type of violence in their neighborhood.
Superintendent Renato Soria, this town's police chief identified the fatalities as Jan Nikols Reyes Vitug, 20, student; Michael Pamintuan
Manalo, 25, married; Russel Cordero Julian, 22, single, all residents of Sitio Aguso, San Francisco, Mabalacat, Pampanga.
Soria identified the wounded victim as Marvin Carreon Canasa, 20, of
Don Cornelio Subdivision, Barangay Dau of this town.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Pampanga headed by Superintendent Rene D. Ong, CIDG deputy regional director, has joined the investigation into the case.
Police said that Vitug and Manalo died on the spot while Julian was rushed to Tiglao General Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Canasa is reportedly still unconscious and recuperating in a hospital.
Mabalacat Mayor Marino "Boking" Morales, condemned the senseless killings and immediately requested police to work on solving the case speedily, identify and launch a manhunt against the killers.
Senior Superintendent Leonardo Espina, provincial police director, has ordered Soria to leave no stones unturned in the investigation and ordered the arrest of the suspects by tomorrow.
Police said that initial investigation revealed that the victims were on their way home after accompanying female friends to the Mabalacat Public Market to take a jeepney ride to Angeles City.
Soria said four men armed with guns blocked the victims' path then suddenly pulled out guns and at gunpoint ordered them to kneel.
He added that the armed men shot them one by one in the head however Canasa - the survivor - after being hit in the hand, managed to run for his safety.
Relatives said that Canasa hid behind a bush and came out after the suspects fled.
Quoting witnesses, probers said that the suspects also carted away Julian's cellular phone and wallet and fled towards an unknown direction.
Recovered from the crime scene were four empty shells for .45 caliber pistol, six shells of 9 millimeter and two deformed slugs.
Morales also appealed to the residents of Barangay San Francisco to cooperate with the police and provide information that may lead to identifying the killers.
He surmised that the armed men could be visitors of some residents in Barangay San Francisco during the town fiesta last Thursday.
"The residents in Barangay San Francisco could give solution to the case," Morales stressed.
The PNP is now conducting an investigation and follow up investigation with regards to the killings while friends and relatives of the victims have been planning to raise money as reward for the information that could lead to the apprehension of the suspects.
(February 4, 2006 issue)
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