EDITORIAL - Killing spree

The danger when authorities fail to catch thrill killers is not only the obvious, which is that they can continue killing, but also that their capers might inspire copycat crimes. So the public has greeted with relief the reported arrest of six men in connection with a shooting spree that left four persons dead in one day in Quezon City.

Police reported finding guns and grenades in a raid on the suspects’ lair in Quezon City on Tuesday. The raiders said those arrested – Alsaid Mindalano, Bochary Mindalano, Anmad Madkadato, Cesar Ate, Mangontawar Monib and a 16-year-old boy – were also wanted for armed robbery and the killing of a policeman and a sales executive.

Mohammad Sandigan, the alleged gunman in the killing spree, is still at large. If he is not apprehended soon, he is bound to continue killing. Police must also determine where the suspects obtained their weapons and ammunition. Their lair reportedly has a makeshift firing range. Believing the suspects to be heavily armed, about 50 policemen were deployed for the raid the other day.

The killing spree once again highlights how easy it is for civilians in this country to obtain deadly weapons, despite the existence of tough laws regulating gun possession. It is not unusual for armed bank robbers and carjackers to have more firepower than pursuing cops.

Some quarters have expressed concern that those arrested may be fall guys, amid strong public pressure to end the killing spree. If this is true, the police will only have a bigger headache if the deadly attacks continue. Public doubts will be dispelled if the thrill killings end and the victims get justice.