3 slain in separate shooting incidents in Masbate

LEGAZPI CITY –– Three persons were killed on Sunday in separate shooting incidents in Cataingan and Aroroy towns in Masbate province, a police report said Monday.

Jhone Andaya, a resident of Barangay Usab and Jamark Amador of Barangay Nursery, were slain when unidentified gunmen waylaid them around 5 p.m. in Barangay Cagbatang in Cataingan, said Major Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson.

Both were ice cream vendors from Masbate City,

The victims were traveling aboard a tricycle from Barangay Lihong en route to Barangay Poblacion in Cataingan when they were fired at by a gunman, the report said. They died on the spot.

Recovered from the crime scene were eight spent shells for a 5.56-mm gun and nine shells for a 9-mm handgun.

In Aroroy, Joel Torres, 42, a gold panner from Barangay Syndicate, was killed after an altercation with a fellow gold panner.

Rommel Manlapas, 45, eluded arrest and is now the subject of a police manhunt.

The report said before the gun attack, Torres and Manlapas had a heated argument that led to a fistfight. The suspect then left the scene and returned armed with an unknown handgun, and fired at the victim twice on the chest.

The victim died on the way to the Aroroy Municipal Hospital.

LZB