NEWSFLASH

ERAP FLIES TO MINDORO, CONDOLES W/MASSACRE VICTIMS’ KIN

Malacanang, April 5, 2000 President Estrada wasted no time upon learning of a Mindoro massacre and flew yesterday to Oriental Mindoro to condole with the families of six victims of Monday night’s Bloodbath.

The Chief Executive flew at 3 p.m. via a Bell 412 helicopter to Barangay Poblacion in Victoria to sympathize with the families of the victims who were reportedly gunned down by two durnk military soldiers in a videoke bar in the town.

The President, who donated P100,000 to the victims’ families, decided to fly to the province immediately upon being informed of the incident by Gov. Rodolfo Valencia, who visited the Palace yesterday.

The suspects were identified as Army Tsgt. Jose Rubia, who has been arrested, and Sgt. Marshall Arambulo who remains at alarge.

Mr. Estrada ordered the Philippine National Police to arrest Arambulo in 48 hours.

Deputy Chief of Staff Jose Calimlim of the Armed Forces of the Philippines has ordered the relief of Lt. Col. Romeo Gapos, battalion commander of the two suspects.

Here is a report on the massacre by Joe Leuterio of the Philippine Star:

2 SOLDIERS MASSACRE 7, WOUND 2 IN MINDORO By Joe Leuterio

Victoria, Mindoro Oriental - Two soldiers entered a billiard hall, ordered everyone inside to lie face down on the floor and fatally shot seven people in apparent grudge killings here last Monday, authorities said. Two others were seriously wounded.

The two soldiers were apparently intoxicated after attending a party Monday night for their deputy commander near the billiard hall, said this town's mayor, Alfredo Ortega.

They shot their victims in the head, killing five men outright, including former town councilman Honorio Metrillo, 42, Ortega said.

The six other fatalities were identified as Metrillo's nephew Leo Tibayan, 25; Cesar Matibag, 38; Larry Atienza, 30; Eugene Bagsic, 34; Chito Bagsic, 25; and Andrew Bagsic, 15.

Metrillo's wife Aida, 42, and Danilo Asilo, 24, a billiard hall employee, were seriously wounded.

President Estrada flew to this town yesterday and condoled with the families of those slain. He gave them P100,000 to divide among themselves.

The soldiers, T/Sgt. Jovy Rubio, 40, and Sgt. Marcial Ambulo, later surrendered to their commander. But Ambulo escaped from the Army camp early yesterday and is now the subject of a shoot-to-kill order, Ortega said.

Mr. Estrada gave police 72 hours to arrest Ambulo. He also relieved Lt. Col. Romeo Gapuz, the local Army battalion commander, due to command responsibility.

Both soldiers belong to Task Force Sea Gull, a counter-insurgency group based in Barangay San Isidro, some two kilometers from this town.

Witnesses said the soldiers had been unruly inside a karaoke bar owned by Metrillo and managed by his wife.

When the soldiers started molesting Metrillo's wife, Metrillo and the other victims, all relatives who were preparing for a billiard tournament next week, went to the bar to confront the soldiers, witnesses said.

After a brief talk, the soldiers and Metrillo appeared to have settled their differences and the victims returned to the billiard hall, they said.

But the soldiers followed, entered the billiard hall and ordered the others to lie face down on the floor and shot them before casually walking away, they said.