2 dead, 2 hurt in arcade shooting

MANILA, Philippines - Two females, including an alleged drug peddler, were killed while two men were wounded when four motorcycle-riding men shot at them in Quezon City Friday night.

Ma. Sussane Mallari, 28, of Barangay Batasan Hills, was the intended target of the attack, which occurred in front of a video arcade shop on De Gloria Extension at past 8 p.m., said Superintendent Ramon Pranada, Quezon City Police District Station 7 commander. She died on the spot.

Mallari had been the subject of reports regarding her drug activities, Pranada said.

Pranada suspects a group may have taken out Mallari to eliminate rivals in the illegal drug trade.

Three others were hit by stray bullets: Anabel Maso, 16; Fortunato Cebuano, 84; and John Monching Basarte, 15. Cebuano and Basarte were treated at the East Avenue Medical Center.

Maso died of gunshot wounds to the head at the Malvar General Hospital at nearly 2 a.m. yesterday.