QCPD: 8 gunned down in 9 hours

MANILA, Philippines - Eight persons were killed in separate shootings in Quezon City in a span of about nine hours since Sunday night.

The first incident happened at around 9 p.m. on Sunday while the last occurred at just before 6 a.m. yesterday, based on records of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), said Chief Inspector Rodel Marcelo, head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit.

One of those killed was lawyer Rizal Cimatu, 53, a legal officer of the Commission on Audit. He was slain at around 9:30 p.m. in Barangay Holy Spirit along with Edwin Tating, 53, an employee at the city hall, and Napoleon Aquino, 51.

In the same incident, 17-year-old Samarta Bibon and 52-year-old Esmeraldo Castillo were wounded.

Police Officer 2 Hermogenes Capili said three hooded men armed with handguns and on two motorcycles were involved in the attack.

Capili said Bibon, Aquino and witness Jaime Himacas Jr. were drinking liquor at an eatery when Himacas saw three men on two motorcycles arrive.

The three gunmen alighted in front of Cimatu’s group, who were also drinking at the eatery. Cimatu and Tating died on the spot from gunshot wounds.

Aquino drew his gun and shot at the then fleeing suspects, hitting one of them. The same suspects then shot Aquino, who died at the hospital.

Bibon and Castillo suffered gunshot wounds in the leg. More than 30 spent shells were found at the crime scene.

At around 9 p.m. in Barangay Pasong Tamo, 24-year-old construction worker Richard Acaso was shot by an unidentified man with a handgun.

Thirty minutes later, a fight among children resulted in another shooting in Barangay Sta. Monica.

Electrician Alvin Pumaren and Alvin Roque went to the house of suspect Efren Vargas, kicking the front door, challenging him to a fistfight over an earlier altercation involving their wards.

Vargas went out, allegedly shot Roque and Pumaren, then fled on foot. Pumaren was dead on arrival at Novaliches General Hospital, while Roque was treated for his injuries.

At around 11:30 p.m., Randy Danao, a tenant of Vargas, was shot and killed by an unidentified friend of Pumaren, who allegedly went there to retaliate.

In another incident at around 5:30 a.m. yesterday, Marcelino Saturinas Jr. was shot dead in Barangay Sta. Monica.

Just before 6 a.m., a sleeping security guard shot dead a fellow guard who startled him. Johnny Felipe, 19, suffered a gunshot wound in the back.

Policemen arrested Aries Perez, 28, following the incident. Perez said Felipe banged on the gates to wake him, and he though there were criminals in the area.