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Sunday, February 05, 2006
Police now have lead in Mabalacat killing
By Reynaldo G. Navales
MABALACAT, Pampanga -- The town police established a lead in the killing of three young men and the wounding of another in Barangay San Francisco at dawn on Friday.
Jan Nikols Reyes Vitug, 20, student; Michael Pamintuan Manalo, 25, married; Russel Cordero Julian, 22, single, all residents of Sitio Aguso, San Francisco, this town were killed after four gunmen shot them.
The victims' companion, Marvin Carreon Canasa, 20, of Don Cornelio Subdivision, Dau was seriously wounded during the incident but managed to run away and ask for help.
Superintendent Renato M. Soria, town's chief of police, said they are now consolidating the descriptions of the suspects.
"We are carefully pursuing a good lead. Based on the information we have so far gathered, hopefully we will be able to identify the suspects and solve the case in the nearest possible time," Soria said.
According to him, Canasa already issued statements regarding the incident and the descriptions of the suspects.
"Ayon sa biktima, hindi niya nakilala yung mga suspects dahil may mga suot na sombrero at madilim dun sa pinangyarihan ng krimen. Ang edad daw nila ay mga 25 to 30," Soria said.
The death of the three youths brought San Francisco residents into deep shock and sorrow as they have never experienced this type of violence in their neighborhood.
"Parang nakorsunadahan lang yung mga biktima kasi naghahamon daw talaga ng away yung mga suspects," Soria said.
Investigation disclosed that the victims were on their way home after accompanying female friends to the Mabalacat Public Market when the gunmen attacked them.
The four men blocked the victims path and suddenly pulled out guns and ordered them to kneel.
Soria said the young men were shot one by one on the head.
Canasa however managed to run for his safety after being hit in the hand.
Vitug and Manalo died on the spot while Julian was rushed to Tiglao General Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Witnesses told probers that the suspects carted away Julian's cellular phone and wallet.
Police recovered four empty shells of .45 caliber pistol and six shells of 9 mm and two deformed slugs.
Mayor Marino "Boking" Morales condemned the senseless killings and requested the local police to work double time in solving the case.
(February 5, 2006 issue)
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