2 dead, 1 hurt in Tondo drive-by shooting

MANILA, Philippines - Two men died, while another was seriously injured when unidentified men in a sport utility vehicle sprayed them with bullets in Tondo, Manila shortly after midnight yesterday.

Sonny Cagaoan, 22, a service crew of a fastfood chain, was declared dead on arrival at the Mary Johnston Hospital due to gunshot wounds in the head and body.

Mark Jerkin Tan, 22, a maintenance crew of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, also succumbed to gunshot wounds in the head at the Philippine General Hospital.

Their companion, Danilo Fajardo, 19, a student, is under observation at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center for gunshot wounds in the arm and foot.

Investigations showed the victims, together with some friends, were having a drinking spree in front of a house along Panday Pira street in Tondo when the suspects in a dark blue Mitsubishi Pajero (ELY-929 or 299) repeatedly shot at the group, then drove away. Witnesses said the suspects were backed up by unidentified men on board another sports utility vehicle resembling an Isuzu Crosswind.

A deformed slug from a yet unknown type of firearm was recovered at the crime scene.

Chief Inspector Alberto Peco, who heads the homicide section of the Manila Police District, said revenge could be the motive for the attack. Peco gathered from witnesses that several days ago, Tan and his group figured in a fight with five residents of nearby Dandan street, resulting in injuries to cousins Francis Anthony Quan and Jamil Eduardo Basilio.

Both groups were summoned to the barangay hall to settle their differences, but Tan and his group reportedly refused to attend, prompting Quan and his group to warn Tan and the others that they will get back at them.

Peco said his follow-up team failed to find Quan and the rest of his gang at their residences. Police are verifying the identities of the owners of the vehicles used in the shooting.