Pubdate: Mon, 31 Jan 2005 Source: Mindanao Times (Philippines) Copyright: 2005 Mindanao Times. Contact: http://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2980 Author: JGD Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Summary+Executions 5 MORE KILLED, ONE HURT Victims: 45 So Far UNIDENTIFIED armed men gunned down five persons in separate shooting incidents that happened in Davao City over the weekend, bringing the total number of victims of vigilante style of killing at 45. The latest incident occurred at 4:30 yesterday afternoon when two of four unidentified persons riding in two motorbikes shot two victims who were sitting at the back of an owner-type jeep as they were leaving the compound of the Aquino Gallera in Cabaguio, Avenue, Agdao. Investigators from the Sta. Ana Police Precinct identified the victims as John Philip Serad and Mark Gil Plaza, both 23 years old, single, jobless and residents of Sarphil Village, San Antonio, Agdao. They sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the head and body and were declared dead on arrival at the Davao Medical Center. Jay Yee, 24, the victims' companion and driver, told investigators they were leaving the galleria compound, and upon reaching the gate, two perpetrators pulled their guns and shot his companions. He immediately alighted from the vehicle and took cover. Yee narrated the victims were still on a sitting position, drenched in their own blood, when he came back to see their condition. He rushed the victims to the Davao Medical Center where they died. Investigators recovered seven empty shells of .45 caliber pistol from the crime scene. The identity and motive of the perpetrators are still being determined by the police. Earlier, two unidentified armed men also gunned down another person about one hour and half earlier at a basketball court in New San Isidro, Buhangin. Investigators from the Buhangin Police Precinct identified the victim as Roel Tabar 27, single, and a resident of the same place. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the face and body and was rushed to the Davao Medical Center. Efforts by the doctors to revive him failed, after he died twenty minutes later. Witnesses said the perpetrators fled on board a black DT-Yamaha motorcyle to an unknown direction. Like the first incidents, investigators have yet to identify the killers. On the other hand, two persons were also killed while another was seriously wounded when two unidentified armed men gunned them down 10:30 PM Saturday in Gravahan, Matina. Police identified those killed as Edgar Allan Duga of 23-C, Isla Verde and Chito Vargas of Lastima Compound, Matina Crossing. Both victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds on the face and head. Their companion, identified as Carmelo del Rosario of Lastima Compound, was hit on the nape and the bullet exited through the left face. He was in a serious condition at a hospital in the city. Talomo Police Precinct's initial report revealed that the victims were on their way home after attending the Patronal fiesta in Purok 4, Matina, Gravahan when two unidentified men in their 40s suddenly gunned them down. As Duga and Vargas fell, del Rosario ran away and flagged down a taxicab which brought him to the hospital. The suspects left the crime scene on foot. Scene of the Crime operatives headed by Senior Insp. Tomas Dimaandal, medico legal officer, recovered seven empty shells of .38 caliber pistol and six spent shells of .45 caliber pistol. Dried marijuana leaves wrapped in a cigarette foil, and newspaper were also recovered from the pockets of Duga and Vargas, respectively. Investigators were still determining the identities and the motive of the perpetrators as of presstime. - ---