Pubdate: Fri, 10 Jun 2005
Source: Sunstar Davao (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1991
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Author: Joy G. Romares
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VIGILANTE-STYLE KILLINGS CONTINUE; 3 MORE DEAD

THREE people were killed vigilante-style while a man remains in
critical condition after unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen shot
them in separate incidents Wednesday afternoon.

The victims were identified as alias Robot, 17, of Trading in Quezon
Boulevard, this city; Alvin John Latagan, 19, of Leon Garcia Street,
Agdao; and Rolando Albaracin, 45, father of eight, of SIR, New Matina.

Meanwhile, in critical condition at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of
the Davao Doctors Hospital is one William Basanez alias Bobong Tisoy,
45, carwash operator of Camus St.

Robot along with his friends were walking along Agdao flyover at
around 9:30 p.m. on their way home from a drinking spree when two of
four unidentified men appeared and shot the victim.

One Melvin, Robot's friend, told a security guard at the Davao Medical
Center (DMC) that they attended a friend's birthday party in Agdao.

The suspects then fled on foot after the incident, while the victim
was brought to the DMC where he was declared dead upon arrival by
attending physicians.

The Santa Ana police said the incident was not reported at their
precinct.

Robot was allegedly involved in a gang riot in Quezon
Boulevard.

Earlier on the same day, Latagan was gunned down in front of many
children at a basketball court near the Santa Ana Wharf.

Senior Police Officer 4 Eleazar Gador, Santa Ana police investigator,
said Latagan was just sitting on a bench when approached by two men
who shot him in the head and body.

Latagan, who was hit in the lower left eye and neck, was declared dead
on the spot by responding policemen.

Esteban, Latagan's grandfather, confirmed that Latagan is a rugby user
and was detained several times at the Santa Ana police precinct for
theft cases.

At around 2 p.m., Basanez was playing "tong-its" with his neighbors
when approached by three unidentified men. One of them allegedly held
him in the neck and said, "Dugay na mi nangita sa imo (We have long
been looking for you)."

The man then shot Basanez once.

Basanez, though wounded in the armpit, managed to run and shout, "God
help me", but another two suspects blocked his way, one of them pulled
out a gun and shot him in the head.

The suspects, witnesses said, boarded a motorcycle and sped off to
unknown direction.

Basanez was then brought by some concerned citizens to the Davao
Doctors hospital, he is in critical condition since the bullet still
remains in his head.

Basanez' wife (name not identified) said her husband was involved in
the sale of marijuana.

Meanwhile, Albaracin was at a cockpit area in Gem Village, Ma-a at
around 11 a.m. when two unidentified men onboard a motorcycle appeared
and shot him without provocation.

Albaracin was dead on the spot with several gunshot wounds in the
body.

Marilou, Albaracin's wife, claimed her husband was involved in illegal
drug trade.

The total number of victims of vigilante-style killings has reached
104 victims since January this year.

Albaracin's killing came after one Mark Anthony Perkins was shot dead
after alighting from a passenger jeepney in Km. 11, Sasa, this city at
around 7 a.m., Wednesday. 
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