Gunmen in guv’s hometown strike anew, kill father, son

By EDWIN IYO
Correspondent

TAGOLOAN, Misamis Oriental — Gunmen on a motorcycle shot and killed a man and his son on the highway in Zone 12, Sta. Cruz, this town, on Wednesday.

The shooting deaths were the latest of the mysterious brutal killings that have been taking place in the hometown of Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano that have alarmed provincial board member Gerardo Sabal.

Police said the killers were “riding in tandem” and attacked Ricardo Daban and his 26-year-old son Erwin near their house.

Chief Insp. Albart Tare, the town’s police chief, said the victims were on their way home when the gun attack was carried out by the still unidentified suspects.

The younger Daban died after he was riddled with bullets — he was shot to the head and other body parts — while his father was declared  dead at the Polymedic Hospital at around 6:10 pm, a few hours after the afternoon attack.

PO2 Faruk Ismael said Erwin was shot first while he was driving a motorcycle with his father on the sidecar. He said the two were headed home from the market.

Ismael said the wounded Erwin managed to survive the first attack and drive towards their house but the gunmen chased and shot him again.

Police said the elder Daban was shot to the stomach.

Ismael said the killers barged into the Dabans’ house where they finished off the younger Daban.

After killing Erwin, the gunmen took their motorcycle and fled toward the direction of Villanueva town, according to a witness.

Erwin’s father was rushed to the hospital where he subsequently died.

Witnesses said the killers wore black sweat shirts and concealed their faces with bonnets.

They also described the motorcycle the killers used to be very dirty.

Police found three emty shells from a caliber .45 pistol at the shoulder of the highway and another one inside the victims’ house.

Erwin’s wife Alma said, “Mamaligyaay ra na akong bana og krudo ginalon nga i-display diri sa highway tungod sa among gipuy-an.”