Emano says massacre suspects deserve shoot-to-kill order

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – An irate Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano said the suspects in the massacre of a couple and their two sons in this city deserve a shoot-to-kill order.

Emano said the suspects need not only be put behind bars considering the brutal killing of the Lastimosa family whose bloated bodies were found stuffed in a septic tank behind their house in District 7, Barangay Canitoan.

“The mastermind and his two companions who remain at large deserve a shoot-to-kill order,” the mayor told reporters here.

One of the arrested suspects, Armand Abuyin, had tagged a certain Eric Malong as the brains behind the killing of Christopher Lastimosa, 34, his wife Sumagang, 34, and their sons Christian, eight and Chamlie, six.

Abuyin claimed two more suspects were involved in the massacre.

Meanwhile, Senior Inspector Richie Yandog of the Bulua police said Abuyin, who denied involvement in the massacre, could become a state witness if the relatives of the victims would agree.

Charges for illegal possession of prohibited drugs and obstruction of justice have been filed against Abuyin. Shabu paraphernalia and residue were all allegedly found in Abuyin’s possession during his arrest.

Abuyin told police investigators that Malong and two other suspects arrived at the crime scene almost midnight last Monday on a motorcycle to collect drug money.