Kin of drive-by shooting victims cry for justice

The families of three victims of the October 5 drive-by shootings gathered in one of their houses in barangay Sambag I yesterday to demand swift justice for their loved ones.

The families of Lord Stephen Vasquez, of barangay Hipodromo, William John Aznar, of Sambag I, and Lawrence Morados, 32, of Logarta Street barangay San Roque asked the police to do more in their pursuit of justice.

Morados was shot dead at V. Gullas Street while Aznar and Vasquez who were also walking along Ascencion Street were also shot at by two men on a motorcycle.

One of the gunmen was later identified as the notorious Alpha Kappa Rho fratman Arestotle “Ares” Aves.

The city government has offered a P300,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Aves, and other cash rewards for information related to him.

Akrho’s rival fraternity Tau Gamma Phi was celebrating their anniversary that day, and police theorize the shootings might be in retaliation to last year’s shooting that killed an Akrho member also during their anniversary.

Aside from the three fatalities, the assailants also wounded Tau Gamma Phi fraternity member, Mhako Buenconsejo, 18, a third year high school student, of barangay Canduman, Mandaue City, who was shot along V. Gullas Street.

Jeffrey Romano, 21, a Nautical student of University of the Visayas, of barangay Guba, was also shot while standing with his friends along Sanciangko Street.

Rendon Pellerin, 18, a first-year Information Technology student, of barangay Mambaling, who was with Aznar and Vasquez at that time, was also wounded.

Rey Gonzales, 24, a messenger of Grand Hope Travel Agency, who was riding a motorcycle heading to Sacred Hospital was also shot when the suspects met him along Uytengsu Street not far from where Aznar, Vasquez and Pelleren were shot.

Police noted that the areas where the shootings took place were known hangouts of Tau Gamma Phi members.

Akhro regional head Richard Buscaino denied the shooters were members of his fraternity and instead asked police to look for another angle into the shootings.

He said they have heard nothing from Aves since he was declared the most-wanted fratman in the city and had a bounty for his capture, but also promised to cooperate with the police.

City police chief Patrocinio Comendador assured the families of the victims that the police are doing their best to find the assailants.

He said there is a police team tracking Aves and they are still out in the field.

Since 2003, Aves has been blamed for at least six shootings where some victims died and others survived, some were fraternity members while others were just innocent individuals in the wrong place and time.

Aves’ continued freedom has given rise to rumors he is being protected by the wealthy and influential families of his fraternity brothers.  – Edwin Ian Melecio/BRP