FAMILY and friends have appealed for help to solve the killing of 17-year-old student Zyrus Miguel Quilantang and his uncle in Calbayog City, Samar.
The young Quilantang was on board the vehicle driven by his 51-year-old uncle, Orlando Quilantang, when an unidentified motor-riding gunman attacked them along Barangay Hamorawon in the city on the evening of September 23.
Orlando died on the spot, while Zyrus was rushed to the hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds, police said.
On September 26, Zyrus died due to the bullets that were lodged in his head.
"There is no sense in promoting the beauty of Calbayog City if young, innocent lives are caught in senseless acts of violence," read a statement from Calbayog Tourism Facebook page.
"He doesn't deserve to have his life and dreams to be taken away...We call upon the authorities to put an end to these acts which undermine the natural beauty and wonder of Calbayog. The acts of a few lawless elements affect not just tourism, but the reputation of the city and its people as a whole," it added.
Friends of Zyrus also set up a crowdfunding drive for the "settlement of his medical expenses as well as funeral expenses."
Calbayog police are investigating the incident. (SunStar Philippines)