Eleazar orders massive hunt for suspect in Cam Sur massacre
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar on Saturday ordered a massive hunt for an M-16-wielding man who shot to death four members of a family inside their house in Milaor, Camarines Sur.
Citing a report from Police Regional Office (PRO) 5 director, Brigadier Gen. Jonnel C. Estomo, the top cop said the gunman forced his way into the victims’ residence at Zone 1 in Bgy. Tarusanan on Friday afternoon and shot the victims without any provocation.
Killed in the attack were 72-year-old Romeo de Leon as well as his relative Samuel Coabilla, 21, and two young children identified as Ruby Britanico, 9, and her brother Gabby John, 6.
Wounded were Noel Agliones, 9, and Haygis Britanico, 7.
The gunman was believed to be a relative of the victims. He was believed to have staged the killings due to a land conflict with his elderly relatives.
“Nakakalungkot at nakakagalit ang ginawang pamamaril sa isang pamilya sa Camarines Sur kung saan dalawa sa apat na namatay ay mga bata at dalawang bata pa ng nasagutan,” said Eleazar.
“Dahil dito, nagbigay na ako ng kautusan sa RD ng PRO5 na kilalalanin at hulihin ang sinumang nasa likod nito sa lalong madaling pahanon,” he added.
Eleazar said the incident in Camarines Sur should also pave the way for unit commanders to intensify the operations to account for loose firearms.
The PNP chief earlier directed all unit commanders nationwide to step up their campaign against loose guns and private armed groups as part of the PNP’s early election security preparations.
“I have also directed all our Regional Directors to give me an update on their campaign against loose firearms in their respective Areas of Responsibility. We need to double our efforts to take away loose firearms from the streets and from the communities because these are usually being used as instruments of crime,” Eleazar said.
