Crewmen gunned down in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A fishing vessel captain shot his crew, killing one and injuring another last Wednesday in the high seas off Gutalac town, Zamboanga del Norte.

The suspect was identified as Roldan Lopez Avelino alias “Suangking,” 42, a resident of Barangay Balud, Masbate City. Avelino, a captain of Lightboat L/B KALEIGH 502 of Yap and Lim Fishing Company, was arrested during a pursuit operation.

The slain victim, 42-year-old Nestor Besanes, was a chief engineer from Barangay Tulungatung, Zamboanga City. Reynante Calunsag, another crew member shot by Avelino went missing after falling overboard off the vessel.

Meanwhile, two crew members, 49-year-old ship oiler Eduardo Lima Dela Cerna and 22-year-old cook Richard Alberto Mendoza, were rescued hours after jumping off the ship.

Police Chief Inspector Rogelio Alabata, information chief of the Police Regional Office 9 (PRO), said the shooting occurred about 9 p.m. Wednesday while Avelino and his crew members were in a fishing venture.

Based on the report, Avelino opened fire at the victims using an unknown firearm. Two survivors managed to escape by jumping off the vessel.

Alabata said the crew from another fishing vessel alerted the police which led to the arrest of Avelino about 3 a.m. at the shore of Barangay Diculom, Baliguian town.

He said the search for the missing crew member, who is feared dead, continues.