5 suspected robbers killed in P’sinan attack

BUGALLON, Pangasinan, Philippines– Five alleged members of a robbery group were killed, two of them beheaded, by bonnet-wearing men in a suspected revenge attack in Barangay Poblacion shortly after midnight yesterday.

The fatalities were identified as Ernesto Jr., 49; Romel, 38, Ronald, 34; Jomer, 17, all surnamed Ramoran, and Albert Martinez, all of Sual town.

Initial investigation showed that Ernesto, Romel and Ronald were brothers, while Jomer was Romel’s son and Martinez was their cousin.

Chief Inspector Lauro Escobar, chief of Bugallon police, told The STAR that around eight to 10 gunmen barged into the victim’s shanty located 300 meters from the main road, at about 12:50 a.m.

The gunmen reportedly shot Jomer and Martinez in the hands and feet, and beheaded them.

The three other victims tried to fight back but were also shot dead by the suspects.

A 14-year-old relative of the victims, who was spared by the gunmen, reportedly witnessed the attack.

Police said Romel was freed on parole last April after serving a prison sentence for robbery.

The victims were allegedly engaged in illegal activities such as robbery and cattle-rustling.

Scene of the Crime Operatives recovered 16 shells and five slugs for a caliber .45 pistol, 14 plastic straps, a fan knife and a cellphone from the crime scene.

Senior Inspector Ryan Manongdo, spokesman for the provincial police, said investigators are looking into the possibility that the killings were carried out by a family previously victimized by the victims.