ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 13, 2012) – Gunmen shot and killed three civilians in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines, police said Monday.
Police identified the fatalities as Billy Sarte and his son, Ronald, and another companion Immy Uy. They were killed over the weekend in the village of Santa Maria.
It said the trio had an argument with the assailants before the shooting.
The gunmen fled on motorcycle after the attack. The motive of the killings is still being investigated by the police.
Just last month, motorcycle gunmen also shot two civilians – George Yap and Melchor Revilla – in a daring attack in Santa Maria village. The shooters escaped after the attack.
In April, the president of the Unibersidad de Zamboanga, Arturo Eustaquio, was also shot and killed by an unidentified gunman also in Santa Maria.
Estaquio’s university has put up a huge sign hanging outside the building where it displays the number of victims of killings in Zamboanga City.
The spate of killings and gun attacks in Zamboanga are not uncommon and authorities largely blamed the murderous rampage to hired killers who are actively operating in the city.
Sonny Jalani, who heads the volunteer group called Crime Watch, also urged authorities to put a stop to the spate of killings in Zamboanga, and for civilians to help the police and military by providing information about crimes.
“The police and local government should work to give justice to victims of killings in Zamboanga. And this would not be possible without the help of the community and many witnesses (to these crimes) are scared to come out because of their safety,” he told the Mindanao Examiner. (Angelie Cahulugan – Mindanao Examiner)
20