GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 10 Nov) – Four people, two of them women, were found dead due to multiple gunshot wounds while another was in critical condition in what police authorities described as a possible case of summary execution in an outskirt village in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat early Monday.
Supt. Junie Buenacosa, Tacurong City police chief, said they recovered the four fatalities and a woman who was severely wounded at a portion of Purok Masagana, Barangay New Lagao in Tacurong City.
He identified the victims as Manuel Juan Rafael Jr, 32, tricycle driver and a resident of Purok Liwliwa, Barangay San Emmanuel in Tacurong City; Felix Gamido Rodrigo, 34, driver and a resident of Apilado Subdivision, Poblacion in Tacurong City; Rhea Macion Ramirez, 28, of Barangay Dadiangas West here; and Joan Mamon, 26, of Columbio town in Sultan Kudarat.
The lone survivor was identified as Regine Ole Dalogdog, 24, a resident of Purok Lanton, Barangay Apopong here.
The three women were listed in a police report as guest relation officers of a local videoke bar.
Buenacosa said concerned residents initially found the victims near a rice field early Monday and immediately reported the matter to the police station.
“The four victims were already dead due to multiple gunshot wounds by the time we arrived at the site,” he said in a radio interview.
Buenacosa said the fifth victim was found alive but in critical condition and was immediately rushed to the Tamondong Hospital in Tacurong City.
He said they recovered at the scene a tricycle that reportedly ferried the victims from Barangay Lagao in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat prior to the incident.
Citing their initial investigation, the official said the victims were on their way to the city proper of Tacurong from Lambayong town when their tricycle was flagged down late Sunday night by unidentified armed men.
The victims were reportedly directed by the suspects to lie down on the ground before opening fire at them, he said.
Buenacosa said the suspects were possibly based near the area as they only left the scene on foot.
“Our investigation is still ongoing and we’re currently looking at a number of angles,” he said.
But he added that they are verifying information that the incident could be related to a botched transaction involving illegal drugs.