Two killed in a robbery hold-up in Zamboanga del Sur

Miami
August 25, 2008
Story: Two killed in a robbery hold-up in Zamboanga del Sur

A driver of a passenger van and a passerby who happens to be an official of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) was shot to death by still unidentified armed men who set up their own checkpoint in a town in Zamboanga del Sur.

Based on the sketchy report from Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Police Office, the incident happened at around 5:30 am in Purok Balono, Barangay Kalian, Margosatubig (town).

Around 10 armed men blocked the passenger van (GBH-103) and said to the driver that they are having series of checkpoints. The suspects are allegedly wearing camouflaged uniform. But what happened, instead of conducting a checkpoint, the armed men declared hold-up and robbed the personal belongings of the passengers which includes cellphones, some jewelries and money.

The suspects even asked the passengers to get off from the vehicle. But, the driver identified as Eduardo Miral ran trying to escape. When the armed men saw him escaping he was shot to death. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

The passenger van is bound to Pagadian City, also in Zamboanga del Sur, came from Margosatubig town proper and has eight passengers including the driver.

Meanwhile, an official from DILG identified as Martin Sequino, Jr., operations officer of the DILG-Zamboanga Sibugay was also shot by the same armed men.

Sequino is riding his motorcycle and on his way to his office, DILG in Imelda (town), Zamboanga Sibugay and has to pass by on Barangay Kalian, Margosatubig where the robbery is happening.

When the driver of the van started to run and shot by the suspects, Sequino was already approaching the area to pass there. He was also asked to stop but refused that lead for the suspects to shot him as well. He also sustained several gunshot wounds on his body.

The police are still investigating the incident.