LUPAO, Nueva Ecija – Two suspected members of a crime gang were executed in separate occasions in this municipality over the weekend, in what police believed to be retaliatory attacks.
The victims were identified as Alex Carnate,34, and Randy Lagamon, both of Purok 2, Barangay Agupalo Este here.
Supt. Ricardo Villanueva, commander of the provincial public safety company, said that Carnate was gunned down by four unidentified suspects at about 11 a.m.
Investigation showed the victim was waiting for a ride, along with his mother Elvera Carnate, when the suspects on board two single motorcycles arrived. “Backriders of both vehicles suddenly alighted, drew short firearms and shot the victim several times in different parts of his body,” Villanueva said, citing investigation results.
The wounded Carnate tried to run for his life but reportedly fell down on a rice field where he was again fired upon by one of the hooded men, police said.
Rodel Jose, 21, a bystander was hit by a bullet and is now getting medical treatment in a local hospital.
Villanueva said Carnate is a member of the Carnate Group which is reportedly involved in robbery hold-up and carnapping activities in Pangasinan and the 2nd district of Nueva Ecija.
Lagamon, on the other hand, was repeatedly shot to death while driving a tricycle with his 8-year-old son at about 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
Chief Insp. Florentino Cuevas, Jr., town police chief, reported that Lagamon was traversing the provincial road in Barangay San Antonio for Lupao town proper when a mulit-cab with three unidentified suspects blocked his way.
“One of the suspects alighted and shot the victim,” Cuevas said. Like Carnate, Lagamon attempted to run but fell on the rice field.
His son was unscratched.
Lagamon, a native of Pangasinan, was the alleged leader of Carnate gang, police said.
