2 'salvage' victims found in Pasig City

MANILA, Philippines - The bodies of two men were found in Pasig City yesterday as the police investigate reports that the victims were criminals summarily executed or “salvaged” by a vigilante group operating in the city.

Police records show the two men would be the eighth and ninth victims of summary execution in Pasig City since last year.

Eastern Police District (EPD) director Chief Superintendent Lino Calingasan ordered the city police to “solve the case as soon as possible,” but noted that the spate of killings could have been done by separate groups.

One of the bodies was found in a passenger jeepney (PYU-663) parked along Caimito street in Villa Cuana 1, Barangay Pinagbuhatan. The other victim was found under the vehicle. Both men were shot in the head and body.

Police said the bodies of the victims were covered by placards alleging that they are robbers, carjackers, burglars and snatchers.

Police Officer 2 Gino Dancel said residents of the area were roused from sleep by sounds of gunfire at about 2 a.m. yesterday. Several minutes later, the bodies of the victims were discovered by the residents, who in turn reported the crime to the local police.

Responding Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) recovered at least 10 slugs from a handgun and two shells at the crime scene.

Four suspected criminals were killed during the term of then EPD director and now Central Luzon police director Chief Superintendent Leon Nilo de la Cruz while Reynaldo Bartolome, 33; Marlon Gardoze, 23, and Andrew Salangoste, 24, were slain during Calingasan’s term.

De la Cruz’s men arrested two suspected vigilantes last year and seized a handgun and a placard from them. The Pasig City prosecutor’s office ordered them released pending further investigation.