Ex-drug convict survives slay try in Quezon

LUCENA CITY – A former drug convict escaped an assassination attempt by a motorcycle-riding gunman in Sariaya town, Quezon province on Thursday, Oct. 6.

A police report said Mark Christian Deocales, 24, stopped his motorcycle to urinate at the side of the eco-tourism road in Barangay Bignay 1 at around 8:30 p.m.

When Deocales was about to leave, a motorcycle rider appeared and repeatedly fired a caliber 40 pistol. The victim sustained two gunshot wounds to his right leg.

The gunman escaped after the shooting.

Rescuers brought the victim to a private hospital in Lucena City and later transferred him to the government-run Quezon Medical Center, also in the city.

Investigators said the victim was previously convicted of drug charges in 2020 and was released the next year.

After his release, Deocales allegedly continued his illegal activities and has been on the drug watch list of Lucena police.

An investigation is still ongoing to establish the motive behind the shooting and unmask the gunman.

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JPV