3 family members shot dead by notorious crime group in Libon, Albay
LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 27 (PNA) — A couple and their son were shot dead in separate shooting incidents by 10 armed men believed to be members of the notorious Concepcion criminal group in Libon, Albay on Friday morning, a top official of the Albay Provincial Police Office (PPO) here said on Sunday.
Chief Insp. Arthur Gomez, chief investigation and information officer of Albay PPO, identified the victims as Angel Sandrino, 48, his wife Josephine, 44, both fish vendors, and their son Jessie, 28, a fisherman.
Gomez said the gunmen first shot Josephine at 5:30 a.m. in front of their house in Barangay La Medalla, Libon. At 6:45 a.m. the gunmen roamed around the village and found Angel in front of a sari-sari store and shot him.
As a team from the Libon Municipal Police Office and Scene of Crime Operatives rushed to La Medalla, the gunmen shot Jessie who was sleeping inside his house in neighboring Zone 7, Barangay Nogpo, at 7:05 a.m.
Gomez said the victims were dead on the spot for multiple gunshot wounds in different parts of their body.
He said investigators believe the suspects could have killed the three family members in retaliation for the death of Jose delos Reyes, a member of the Concepcion crime group, who was killed on Nov. 21 when a warrant of arrest was served on him by a combined team of lawmen.
Probers said the criminal group might have suspected the Sandrino family members to have tipped off Delos Reyes to authorities.
Gomez said pursuit operations are ongoing against the criminal group. He said authorities are hopeful they could soon arrest the suspects, including their head, Gilbert Concepcion. (PNA)
