Eight men were found dead with telltale signs of “salvaging” (summary execution) in different parts of Pasay and Makati cities from Wednesday night up to Thursday wee hours, police said.
Police said identified as Dennis Magdilira, 32; Efren Escrupulo, 34; Edgardo Lonseras, 34; June Casan, 54; and Ricardo Medina, 22, all residents of Pasay, were dumped in Pasay City. Three other victims found in Makati City have yet to be identified.
“In our initial background check, the five victims found were members of the dreaded Sigue-Sigue Sputnik Gang and had been incarcerated at the Pasay City Jail for robbery and illegal drug cases. They were known holduppers operating along EDSA-Pasay. We still have to check other information,” Senior Police Officer 1 Giovanni Arcinue, Pasay police investigator, said.
Arcinue also noted that all the victims had packaging tapes wrapped around their heads and their hands were tied with ropes. Placards were also left on their bodies branding them as “addicts”, “pushers”, and “holduppers”, and telling the public “should not emulate” them.
The first victim, Magdilira, was found by a passersby near Pasay City Academy along Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Barangay 37 around 10:30 p.m.
Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) said he bore two stab wounds in the shoulder and armpit.
The second and third victims, Escrupulo and Lonseras, were found around 11:45 p.m., Arcinue said.
Escrupulo was found slumped on the side of Chaphel Road in Barangay 195. He was wearing a black shirt and maong pants.
The body bore a stab wound and a placard note which says he is a “snatcher”, “barker” and “addict”.
Not far away, Lonseras’ body was discovered by a scavenger near a bridge on Don Carlos Village, Barangay 190. A heat-sealed plastic sachet with suspected marijuana was found in his pocket, Arcinue said.
Two more bodies – Casan’s and Medina’s – were discovered a few meters apart by a security guard around 12:35 a.m. in front of Cuneta Warehouse on Cuneta Avenue, Barangay 77. They bore no stab or gunshot wound and both yielded a plastic sachet with suspected marijuana.
“Nangangalap na kami ng CCTV footages para malaman kung iisang mga suspek lang ang nagtapon ng mga bangkay. Halos magkakalapit yung mga oras eh,” Arcinue said.
The five cadavers were brought to Rizal Funeral Homes for autopsy and safekeeping.
In Makati City, the sixth victim was found around 12:30 on Morse St., Barangay San Isidro. He had a stab wound in the chest.
Thirty minutes later, the seventh and eight victims were found on Mascardo St., Brgy. Bangkal. Both victims were described as about 35 to 40 years old and wearing black shirts and maong pants.
Found in the crime scenes were notes bearing this message – “Huwag tularan, bukas kotse, holdaper, tulak droga, holdaper ako!”
Senior Supt. Rommil Mitra, Makati City Police chief, said they are now investigating the incidents.
(MARTIN A. SADONGDONG)