The Philippine National Police is now tapping the help of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group as well as the National Bureau of Investigation to identify the suspects and the motive behind the summary execution of three civilians Wednesday in Silay City, Negros Occidental.

There are reports that the suspects may belong to a “vigilante group”.

Senior Supt. Allan Guisihan, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, however, said they have no suspects yet.

Guisihan said there are reports that the victims were involved in illegal activities. He, however, added that they cannot say yet if that had triggered the salvaging of the victims.

The three victims identified as John Rey Dematogue, 28; Macho Pedronio, 32; and Rocky Peronilla, 38, were all hogtied, and shot at close range by more than two suspects, who were armed with an M-16 assault rifle and a .45 caliber pistol, at the national highway of Silay City, police investigations showed.

Guisihan said there is need to look into the background of the three victims, that could serve as a take-off point for their probe.

The eight empty shells of an M-16 rifle and .45 caliber pistol recovered from the crime scene, were endorsed by the Silay police to the PNP Crime Laboratory for ballistic examination.

The three victims were also linked to the theft of a welding machine from a piggery farm in Victorias City, where Peronilla was employed.

Guisihan said they cannot discount the possibility of the involvement of the New People’s Army, that had marked its 43rd founding anniversary March 29.

“All angles are being explored, and any information on the incident will be most welcome,’” he said.* GPB

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