Yt Framework

Number of gunshot victims in the city since January 1, 2012 reaches 111

A businesswoman was shot dead along Marquez Drive near the busy traffic MCLL highway, Barangay Tetuan in this city on Monday night.

The victim and her husband were riding-in-tandem on a motorcyle on their way home at Marquez Drive when held-up shortly before 8:00 p.m.

She was identified as Patricia Humines y Limo, 50, married to Johnny Tan y Acosta, 55, owner of Morning Sun Satti at Pilar St., Barangay Zone IV.

The victim was gunned down after she resisted the hold up, according to police investogation.

Chief Inspector Elmer Acuña, Tetuan Police Station commander, said the holdupper forcibly grabbed Ms. Humines' bag containing about P20,000 to P30,000 but the refused to give it up prompting the suspect to shot her.

The woman was fatally hit in the head while her husband sustained no injury. She was rushed to the Western Mindanao Medical Center (WMMC) but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Two spent shells of Caliber .45 Pistol and the couple's Honda Wave R motorcycle with combination color of red and black bearing license plate number 5246 PE were recovered at the crime scene.

It was learned from a witness three holduppers suddenly blocked the couple's way and the suspects' back-rider approached them and declared hold-up at gunpoint.

The witness said he heard gunfires and saw three persons rushing from Marquez Drive riding on a motorcycle, where one of them almost fell down.

"Tres el tamunta na un motor estaba adentro serka na camino highway del Tetuan...el na motor el hitman tres sila...uno lang el tiene helmet el dos na atras nuway," the witness said.

Police said the suspects hurriedly sped off on board a color red Honda Wave motorcycle heading towards the direction of Governor Camins Avenue.

A follow-up investigation was conducted by police personnel to identify the suspects and for their possible arrest.

The latest incident involving holdup and killing of a businesswoman is the second to occur in Zamboanga City in a month's time

On July 9, 2012, a 50-year-old businesswoman identified as Mia Shi y Rong, owner of a cellular phone store in downtown was shot to death along Tomas Claudion St. in Barangay Zone III.

Ms. Shi had just came out from her store walking towards her rented apartment passing through Tomas Claudio strecth when she was held-up and shot by a gunman.

Police are still studying whether the suspects in the latest incident were the same assailants in the robbery-slay of the Chinese businesswoman.

The number of gunshot victims in the City of Zamboanga increased to 111th, following the incident Monday night.

A business group condemned the latest incident and said the incidents are not isolated as there are already plenty of shootings where many people including innocent ones, businessmen and others lost their life.

"The city government has to do something to stop this shooting incident. It's their responsibility to take control of the situation and work hard towards the permanent solution of it," said a businessman who declined to named.

Admitting that it is not practical for the government to provide security to every public avenue across the city, but said it needs to control proliferation of guns which will deny a gun to madmen in the first place.

"Shooting incidents have become very alarming in the city. Apparently, the main cause is that firearms are easily accessible to madmen despite the gun ban," the source added.

As of yesterday, the huge tarpaulin of Universidad de Zamboanga (UZ) being displayed in downtown shows a total of 111 gunshot victims since January 1, 2012.

By Eugene Lasprilla with reports from Hader Glang