Hired guns in GenSan slays

KORONADAL CITY — Police blamed a gun-for-hire syndicate for the gunslayings of five people, including two prominent businessmen, in nearby General Santos City in the past three weeks.

Senior Superintendent Alfredo Toroctocon, General Santos police chief, said "professional killers" pulled off the killings.

Last Dec. 9, Jimmy and Esterlita Sanchez were attacked by a lone gunman in front of their house. Seven days later, Salvador Ong, who owned the King Valley Hotel, and his bodyguard, Arnold Bactang, were shot dead.

Ong had reportedly been receiving death threats after his younger brother, also a hotel owner, was killed by robbers a few months ago.

After three days, Joel Pereyra, owner of auto service centers in General Santos, was gunned down in front of his office. 

"Based on our investigations, all the killers were members of a gun-for-hire gang operating here. We are doing our best to track them down and determine the level of their operations," Toroctocon said. — Ramil Bajo