Slaughter of Innocents

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On May 21 and 22, three men had been murdered in Davao and Tagum Cities, Mindanao. Two of the victims were shot dead inside and just outside their house by gunmen riding on motorcycles. The other one, whom the police claimed was killed on pretext of “gang war“, was shot in a crowded place.

Shot in the middle of a crowd 

Victim: Laynel Romano, 22 years old; of Purok (sub-section of village) 5, Bunaply, Bunawan, Davao City
Date and place: May 21 at 9:45pm in his village

Laynel Romano was watching a basketball game in a crowded place with his friends. As they were enjoying the game, two young men approached him. One of whom though suddenly shot him on the head piercing to his back.

The frightened crowd, after hearing the gunfire, went into chaos had run for their safety in different directions. The gunmen had been able to escape by mixing with the panic crowd. An improvised gun (sumpak), loaded with bullets from an M-16 armalite rifle, had been used in shooting the victim as shown by recovered empty shells.

However, the police had already concluded their investigation though it was a gang war, in absence of any thorough investigation, Laynel’s death was a result of “gang war”.

“the police had already concluded though it was a “gang war”, in absence of any thorough investigation”

“Gang war gyud ni kay grupo-grupo man gud ni sila. Naa gyud ni sila’y mga grudges kay basta lang ba diay ka pusilon kung wa kay atraso (This is definitely a gang war. See, they are in different groups. They must have grudges because they can’t just shot a person without it)”, a police investigator has said.

Two murdered in their places in a day

Victim:
1. Manuelito Belinario, 55 years old; of Purok Narra, Barangay Cuambogan, Tagum City
2. Ronald Bengil, 32 years old; of Purok Pag-ibig, Barangay (vilage) Mankilam, same city
Date: May 22 in the evening in their places

Manuelito Belinario and Ronald Bengil were killed within hours of each other.

Manuelito, while inside his house, was about to take his dinner when a man, armed with a .45 caliber pistol, had come shooting him. The gunman escape on board an awaiting single motorcycle nearby. Manuelito suffered fatal gunshot wound to his head. Two empty shells were found at the crime scene. The gunmen were described as wearing jacket.

Manuelito was about to take his dinner when a man, armed with a .45 caliber pistol, had come shooting him.

Two hours later, Ronald was shot dead in Barangay (village) Mankilam in the same city. Ronald was buying charcoal from a store close to his house. The attackers, riding on a motorcycle, suddenly appeared shooting him repeatedly. He suffered several gunshot wounds in his body. Those to went to his rescue had tried taking him to hospital but he was already dead.

Ronald was buying charcoal from a store close to his house. The attackers, riding on a motorcycle, suddenly appeared shooting him repeatedly.

Ronald and Manuelito were taken to hospital almost at the same time.