2 teens escape ‘salvage’ try in Laguna

SAN PEDRO CITY-Two teens, accused of trying to steal from a vape shop, narrowly escaped summary execution in Calamba City in Laguna province, the police said Friday.

Superintendent Reynaldo Maclang, the Calamba police chief, on Friday said they arrested brothers Eric, 39, and Cesar, 34, Liquido, the suspects in the abduction and frustrated murder of Christian Alvarez and Jerome Banjan, both 16 years old and residents of Los Baños town. The victims remained in the hospital due to multiple bullet wounds.

According to the police, Alvarez and Banjan traveled to Calamba City around 2 a.m. on January 30 with the intention of stealing from a vape shop owned by the Liquidos in Barangay (village) Milagrosa.

The two were “caught in the act” by the shop owners leading to a commotion and the teens being forced to ride a pick-up truck.

Police investigation showed Alvarez and Banjan were later taken to a vacant lot somewhere in Barangay Makiling in Calamba City where they were shot several times.

“They survived by playing dead,” Maclang said.

When the suspects left, the teens sought help from residents who brought them to a hospital.

Maclang said aside from the teens’ accounts, several other witnesses also identified the Liquidos. The police on Friday filed charges of frustrated murder against the suspects, but said Alvarez and
Banjan may also be charged with theft. Maricar Cinco, @maricarcincoINQ, Inquirer Southern Luzon