Now 175 since Dec. 2004: Another man slain, vigilantes blamed

Another ex-convict was shot dead last night along Cabantan Street, barangay Luz. SPO3 Desiderio Mendaros identified the victim as James Rendon, 24, a former dance instructor and a resident of sitio Zapatera of the said barangay.

The alleged gunman reportedly, went inside the house owned by a certain Rosalina Pialamo where the victim was playing mahjong and asked who were playing.

Later, the man returned with a handgun, shot the victim several times then went back to a waiting companion on board a motorcycle. Two empty shells of a .45 cal. pistol and two deformed slugs were found at the crime scene.

Police are still checking on the records of the victim as of press time. With this latest incident, the list of victims of vigilante-style killings since December 2004 has now reached 175.

So far only the families of three of the victims have cooperated and expressed interest in solving the killings, said Homicide Section chief Erlando Metante.

City police chief Melvin Gayotin said the cases of three killings have been filed in the City Prosecutor's Office.

These were the cases of Noel Arda, killed last December 23, 2004 in Lower Purok III, barangay Camputhaw; Rogelio Pardillo, killed last December 30, 2004 in barangay Luz and Dominador Villamor Jr. who was killed last February 26,2005 in sitio Silangan II, barangay Tejero.

Based on their records, the relatives of many victims were invited by their investigators to give statements and to file formal complaints but no one actually cooperated. He said, the relatives might be afraid for their safety.

Yesterday, SPO1 Jay Yballe of the Homicide Section brought an invitation to the relatives of a former convict Dante de la Torre who was shot dead last Saturday afternoon along Greenside Street in barangay Hipodromo this city.

Last Saturday, four people were also killed in vigilante-style execution, three of them (including dela Torre) were ex-convicts while the other victim was believed to be involved in illegal drugs in barangay Suba.

Homicide investigators are hoping that the relatives of the latest victims will cooperate with them in seeking justice.

The vigilante style killings started in December 22, 2004.

Based on the records obtained by The Freeman from the Homicide Section, from January 8 to June 23, 2006 the suspected vigilantes killed 53 former convicts.

There were no recorded killings in July, which was when the IBP claimed they have identified the vigilantes and their leader, but refused to name them.

It was the same month when President Gloria Arroyo and PNP chief Oscar Calderon ordered the extra-judicial killings be investigated.

Only one victim was killed in August, Rosel Pansacalan of barangay Busay, Cebu City.

Another victim identified as Ariel Guerrero was killed last September 20, eight days after the death of 19-year-old student Carmela Cabañog who was robbed inside a jeepney along Highway Tagunol in barangay Cogon-Pardo. - Edwin Ian Melecio