Masked gunmen execute lumberjacks

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  - Masked gunmen in camouflage executed two lumberjacks in an upland village of Dinas town, Zamboanga del Norte, according to police Monday.

The victims were identified as Rodulfo Clarin and Cristopher Tagayan, both married and residents of Barangay San Pablo, a nearby town of Dinas, according to Police Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, spokesman of Police Regional Office 9 (PRO) said.

Police investigation disclosed that the two victims were cutting coconut trees as lumbers with their power chainsaw  about 7 a.m. Saturday when the four unidentified masked gunmen appeared at sitio Campo Uno.

The victims, who were later herded in one spot, according to witnesses, pleaded for their lives.

One of the masked gunmen, in civilian cloths and armed with M16, strafed the  victims,  killing them on the spot.

The suspects later carted away the mechanical power chainsaw and fled on foot towards unknown direction.

Dongos barangay chairman Sumandag Mangual immediately reported the incident to the police who proceeded to the crime scene.

The police recovered the remains of the two victims as well as  empty shells of bullets believed to  have been fired from M16 rifle.

Police are still investigating the motive for the killings.