2 rob suspects shot dead by vigilantes in Davao

DAVAO CITY—Suspected vigilantes shot dead two robbery suspects, including an alleged ring leader, while they were being escorted by police to the prosecutor’s office for inquest, officials said yesterday.

In a report to the city police, the Tugbok district police office said the suspects—Antonio Pichenco, 28, and Januard Quimala, 27—died after they were shot in the head. They had been arrested on Tuesday by police on suspicion of involvement in robbery.

They were shot by suspected vigilantes as they rode in a police patrol car on the way to the Hall of Justice in Ecoland Subdivision here, according to the report. Policemen who were in the patrol car returned fire, but missed the suspected vigilantes.

No policeman who was in the same car as the robbery suspects suffered any injury as a result of the vigilante attack.

Amnesty International has condemned the killings of crime suspects here and elsewhere in the Davao provinces. Karlos Manlupig and Judy Quiros,

Inquirer Mindanao