Two more unsolved killings in Dagupan

By November 2, 2004News

TWO persons were killed and another wounded when suspected members of a vigilante group struck again in two separate places in Dagupan City Tuesday night.

The first fatality identified by the police as Voltaire Villamor 25, of sitio Puelay in barangay Caranglaan who was shot at the intersection of Perez Boulevard and Mayombo road at about 8:30 p.m. by two or three persons aboard a motorized tricycle.

The second victim was identified as Lloyd Soriano, 39, of barangay Malued, who was aboard a motorcycle when shot at 11:30 p.m. by unidentified armed men riding in another motorcycle.

Soriano’s companion, identified as Manuel de la Cruz, 39, also of barangay Malued, was hit twice in the foot and was treated at the Region 1 Medical Center.

In both incidents, a Caliber 45 pistol was used as evidence by four empty shells found near the body of Villamor and 11 empty shells near the body of Soriano.

Police Chief Candito Quijardo denied these two incidents were the works of vigilantes although lawmen recovered three sachets of suspected æshabu’ near the body of Villamor, who was tagged being involved in pushing æshabu.

A report said that Villamor was picked up by policemen on Arellano street near the Region 1 Medical Center the day before on tips provided by lawmen but was released a few minutes later when lawmen did not find any incriminating evidence in his possession.

Quijardo told newsmen he is more inclined to believe the killing of Villamor may have been due to double-cross in the æshabuÆ business which indirectly insinuated there is active trading of illegal drugs in the city. As to the killing of Soriano, Quijardo could not say much yet until the investigation is completed.

There were reports that Soriano was a loan shark and who was also involved in gunrunning if not the trading of æshabu’. The two killings were probably the sixth and seventh incidents in Dagupan City that were unsolved ever since Police Provincial Director Mario Sandiego ordered an investigation into supposed vigilante killings in the city. Unfortunately, the investigation was going nowhere as no suspect has so far been identified although the number of persons believed waylaid by vigilantes keeps on increasing.

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