Yt Framework

A Philippine Marine soldier was shot and critically wounded by two unidentified motorcycle riding-in-tandem gunmen along Crispin Atilano Street, Barangay Tetuan, this city, yesterday dawn.

The victim was identified as Ernesto Singson Jr. y Bernardo, 26, single, a native of Maluso, Basilan Province and temporarily residing at Barangay Maasin, this city. 

He sustained multiple gunshot wounds on the chest and stomach.
Chief Inspector Elmer Acuña, Tetuan Police Station commander, said the police alert team responded at the crime scene and rushed the victim to Zamboanga Doctor’s Hospital for medical treatment then later transferred to Zamboanga City Medical center (ZCMC) where he was confined for further medication.

“We will still follow-up the condition of the victim who underwent medical operation today (Sunday)”, Acuña added.
Acuña said the victim is an enlisted personnel of the Philippine Marines assigned with the Marine Battalion Landing Team 11 (MBLT11) as claimed by his batch mates.     

Initial investigation conducted by the local police revealed that the victim and some of his high school batch mates were at a resto bar along Buenavista Street, Barangay Zone II, this city. The victim told his batch mates that he will meet someone in Tetuan and left the place on board a Honda motorcycle with plate number 2375 JQ owned by Guillen N. Santos.

While the victim was travelling along Crispin Atilano Steet, Tetuan particularly infront of Andy’s Special Satti House, the suspects, on board another motorcycle suddenly appeared and the back-rider shot him repeatedly then fled towards the direction of Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan.

Information collected by police investigators showed that the gunman was about 5’4” to 5’5” in height, fair complexion, thick eyebrows, with mustache, round eyes, with visible pimples on the face, flat nose, wearing red bull cap and black jacket, long pants and red shoes with brand name “supra”. The driver was taller than the gunman, wearing jersey short pants, colored red shirt and wearing full face helmet.

Acuña told Zamboanga Today that seven spent shells and a deformed slug of Caliber .45 pistol were recovered at the crime scene.
A continuous investigation is being conducted to determine the motive of the incident as well as the identities of the suspects for their possible arrest.

By Eugene A. Lasprilla