Pubdate: Tue, 18 Jan 2005
Source: Sunstar Davao (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1991
Note:  also listed for feedback
Author: Joy G. Romares
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

REHAB GRADUATE IS 26TH VICTIM

A TAXICAB driver, who was just recently released from a drug rehabilitation 
center, was killed by suspected vigilantes in Juna Subdivision, Matina, 
Davao City, Tuesday morning.

Joel Castro, 38, taxi driver, father of two and resident of Durian Street, 
Juna Subdivision, was killed by an unknown gunman.

Castro was just walking along Durian Street at around 8 a.m. just a few 
meters away from a store owned by one Boy Celis when a lone gunman 
approached him and shot him in the head without provocation.

The suspect, witnesses said, ran towards a waiting motorcycle and sped off.

Two empty shells of caliber .45 pistol were recovered at scene of crime by 
the Talomo police and Scene of the Crime Operation.

It was learned that Castro was just released from a drug rehabilitation 
center in Tagum City.

A neighbor who refused to be identified said Castro volunteered to undergo 
rehabilitation last year in Tagum.

On Monday morning, one Ramir Caballes, of legal age, was shot by an 
unidentified man in Malagamot, Panacan.

Caballes was driving his motorcycle with his wife in Malagamot at around 11 
a.m. when the incident happened.

Caballes is in critical condition at the Davao Doctors Hospital.

SPO2 Antonio Diagbel of the Sasa police precinct said that the suspect, who 
was supposed to fire his second shot ran away after seeing Caballes' face.

Caballes, who was a machine operator at the Philippine Japan Active Carbon, 
a charcoal company in Malagamot, Panacan, has no police record, Diagbel said.
- ---