Angeles dentist, 2 pals shot dead

ANGELES CITY — A dentist and two other persons were killed after five suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels sprayed them with bullets while they were jogging at the La Pieta memorial cemetery in Barangay Pulong Bulo here yesterday morning.

Chief Superintendent Alejandro Lapinid, Central Luzon police director, identified the victims as Dr. Angel David and his friends Francisco Rivera and Bonjon Maniti.

"It seems that Dr. David was the only target, but the two others who were jogging with him were also fatally hit as they were jogging near each other," Lapinid said.

One of the victims’ companions, retired Chief Inspector Romeo Consengco, was not hurt as he was able to run and seek cover.

Senior Superintendent Policarpio Segubre, Angeles City police chief, said David had been getting death threats related to a land dispute in this city.

Segubre said the threats apparently came from the NPA.

The five gunmen were seen fleeing in a blue van and an XLT passenger jeepney, both without license plates, after the shooting.

Eight empty M-16 shells were found at the crime scene. — Ding Cervantes, Ric Sapnu