BY RHENJIE MARIE CALANTAS
ILOILO City – Two men were shot to death in Barangay Baldoza, La Paz district around 2:35 a.m. yesterday.
The victims were identified as 32-year-old Edmond “Turling” Mendoza, a resident of the said barangay, and Jomar Mendoza of Barangay San Nicolas, La Paz. They succumbed to gunshot wounds on their heads, police said.
The victims were talking to two men riding a motorcycle before they were shot, according to Police Captain Johna Aquil, officer-in-charge of the La Paz Police Station.
Witnesses told the police the gunmen fled towards the direction of Barangay Ticud, La Paz after the incident.
Former barangay captain Antonio Jaleco said he heard six gunshots and when he looked where the shots came from, he saw the victims lying beside the road.
“Mga anum gid ni ka lupok nabatian ko pero abi ko ‘ya triangulo lang. Sang ginpangita ko ang lupok nakibot na lang ko nga nakita ko ang duha nga nagahamyangon na. Nakita ko pa gani nga nagpalagyo ang mga suspek pakadto sa Ticud,” said Jaleco.
Aquil said the victims were facing illegal drug-related cases, which may be the motive of the crime.
Edmond, who was already jailed, had six cases including possession of illegal drugs, grave threats and illegal possession of a deadly weapon, said Aquil.
Officers of the La Paz police station recovered 10 cartridges of .45 caliber firearm and air soft gun at the crime scene, and four sachets of suspected shabu from Edmond./PN
