Spate of killings in Tagum City not related to investment scams – police

DAVAO CITY — The spate of killings in Tagum City, Davao del Norte in the past few months could not all be attributed to the various investment scams that operated in the city, a police official said.

Police Col. Ferlu Silvio, provincial director of the Davao del Norte police, also assured the public there was no reason to be alarmed as these killings were far apart and were not concentrated in one area.

“The series of shooting incidents in the province of Davao del Norte is not a cause for alarm as most of the incidents were in different areas of the province and not concentrated in one city or town,” Silvio said.

His assurance came after Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon issued a statement condemning the September 4 killing of Judylou Palas, 21, reported to be a daughter of an investment scheme agent here.  Palas, who was staying at the house of her aunt together with her siblings and cousins, was about to take dinner inside the house at Purok Dahlia, Visayan Village when killed by an unknown assailant.

“The act of violence that targeted the hapless individuals in Tagum City is barbaric, yet smacked of cowardice,” Rellon said as he urged the public to be vigilant.

“We enjoin the public to be vigilant especially during these trying times and to inform the authorities in cases when they know crimes are being committed or are about to be committed,” Rellon added.

Silvio, however, said killings linked to the investment scams were isolated ones.

“Apart from that one, (Palas’ case), most of the killings involved personal grudges,” Silvio said. “Other angles (of the rest of the killings) are also considered but (these) cannot be directly associated with the investment scams (which used to thrive) in the province,” he noted.

Of the 37 killings reported in Tagum City for the period, only four incidents could be attributed to investment scam cases. He also said the four killings happened in a span of four months.

Silvio said one of the cases being investigated by authorities involved a cashier of one of the investment companies.

“But their association to the investment schemes (are not enough),” he said.

Silvio then said the police would conduct an in-depth probe to solve these crimes.

“(Davao del Norte police) are committed to solving these crimes and deliver justice both to the victims and their family,” he said. /kga