Four unidentified armed men yesterday staged an ambush in Purok Tumpok, Brgy. Canlandog, Murcia, where two scrap iron buyers were killed, the police said.

The victims were identified as Alex Torres, 36, and his cousin, Romulo Garcia, 30, both residents of Brgy. Cansilayan, Murcia. However, two nephews of the victims, Julius Pediodianga, 18, and a certain Miguel, 10, escaped unhurt, SPO1 Frisco Lobaton, Murcia PNP Desk Officer, said.

Police investigations show that the victims, and their two nephews were on board a tricycle and were on their way home to Sitio Antawan in the barangay, when they were ambushed.

Lobaton said the suspects whose faces were covered with shirts and were armed with homemade shotguns, locally known as sulpak, also hacked the victims.

Police investigations also showed that the motive was not robbery because the victims' wallets containing P400 in cash and other personal belongings were not taken by the suspects.

Lobaton said the incident may have been triggered by a business rivalry. In the past six years, killings have taken place in Brgy. Canlandog, Murcia, reportedly triggered by quarrels between two families and they are mostly unsolved.

The incident yesterday was preceded by the brutal killing of a housewife in Brgy. Minoyan, also in Murcia Tuesday.*GPB

back to top