Slaughter of Innocents

AT GLANCE: On June 13, three persons were attacked by four gunmen riding on two separate motorcycles in Cebu City. One of the victims was wounded, but two others were escaped unharmed. But contrary to previous incidents, these victims had no criminal records at all but nevertheless the manner their case was described, they must have thus their attack. The place itself has had histories wherein local official reportedly tolerates this and previous cases of murders on pretext of “vigilante killings“. This pattern of attack and notion though has left everyone as justifiable target instead.

Victims:
Rubin Imtong, 54 years old, he was shot to his leg
Patricio Carumayan
Obet Betudo
Both are residents of F. Villa, Barangay T. Padilla, Cebu City
Date: 13 June 2008 at dawn

Patricio Carumayan and Rubin Imtong were sitting outside their house when the four gunmen, who riding on two separate motorcycles, had arrived in their place.

They were with their neighbor, Obet Betudo, when the gunmen came.

The gunmen greeted Patricio as they came close to them. But they shot Patricio as he ran away after he felt the group had suspicious movement.

Patricio escaped unharmed but his companion, Rubin, was hit to his right leg. Obet was also not reported to have been hurt. The gunmen immediately escaped after the shooting.

Rubin was taken to the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) where he was treated./Super Balita Cebu

The motive on attempt on their lives could not be immediately known after the shooting. It happens a day after another unnamed theft suspect was reported to have also been murdered.

What happens to these two persons reflects the severity of the condition wherein persons, whether or not had involvement in criminal activities, are attacked on this pretext.

As in this case, the two victims had no criminal records at all, however the manner how the attempts on their lives was reported implies they must be crime suspects thus their attack.

This notion instead left everyone as target at all.