Death Squad-Style Murders Rise in GenSan

The responsibility of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is clearly
stipulated in the Republic Act (RA 6975), section 24: “Powers and
Functions: (a) enforce all laws and ordinances relative to the
protection of lives and properties; (b) maintain peace and order and
take all necessary steps to ensure public safety and (c) investigate
and prevent crimes, effect the arrest of criminal offenders, bring
offenders to justice and assist in their prosecution (sic)”.

Instead of ensuring that each of these murders is investigated and
that the perpetrators are held accountable in court, the police and
Mayor’s baseless excuses do not exonerate the authorities from their
duties to investigate and protect.

Case details:

Motorcycle drivers:

1. 45 years old Danny Ramirez was murdered on April 27 in Barangay
(village) Labangal in GSC. He was the father of five children and the
family’s bread-winner. He was murdered when on his way to ferry
passengers.

2. 22 year old Steward Devenagracia was shot dead by one of his
passengers on April 21 at around 10 pm in Barangay Labangal, GSC. He
was last seen ferrying a female passenger from a wharf in Makar, in
the same village. The attackers stole his motorcycle.

3. 33 year old Romy Aristoteles was killed on April 9 at 8:30 pm at
the corner of Magsaysay Avenue and Salazar street, in downtown GSC. A
lone gunman, armed with a .45 caliber pistol, shot him from behind and
calmly walked away after shooting him. He was waiting for passengers
when he was shot in the head.

4. Jun Villamor was shot dead on April 1 by two of his passengers he
had picked up as he was driving along San Pedro Street, Mateo Road,
Barangay (village) Bula. Witnesses heard gunshots before the
motorcycle crashed into the back of a utility vehicle parked along
the roadside .The two alleged perpetrators then reportedly tried to
steal the motorcycle, but then ran away.

5. 45 year old Danilo Bactol was found dead on March 10 at around
9:15 pm in Purok Bulaong Extension, Barangay Labangal. His motorcycle
was also stolen shortly after he was last seen ferrying two other
passengers. He suffered gunshot wounds to his belly and back which
eventually resulted in his death. The police were able to recover two
empty shells from a .45 caliber pistol at the scene.

Alleged criminals:

1. 24 year old Rene Taluna was shot and killed by two attackers in
the evening of May 14 as he arrived home in B’laan Village, Barangay
Labangal. The two suspects, riding on a motorcycle, had followed the
victim before shooting him dead. He suffered gunshot wounds to his
head and chest. The community police have done little except claim
that Rene was on file for cases of theft and robbery.