GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Police have launched a manhunt against motorcycle-riding suspects who killed a female appliance store employee and robbed a store owner at gunpoint in Koronadal City on Saturday.
Supt. Benjiel Kirby Bajo, Koronadal City police chief, said victim April Joy Jaballa, 22, was aboard her motorcycle when she was shot dead by unidentified gunmen riding-in-tandem at a portion of Purok Katipunan, Barangay General Paulino Santos.
He said Jaballa, who succumbed to three gunshot wounds on her back, had just left their home in nearby Purok Kaugnayan when the incident happened at around 7:45 p.m.
One of the suspects took Jaballa's black Suzuki Raider 115 Fi motorcycle and immediately left the scene, he said.
The official said a construction worker, who witnessed the incident, rushed the victim to the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital where she was declared dead on arrival by attending doctors.
Margarita Subaldo, Barangay General Paulino Santos chair, said the suspects could have been tailing Jaballa when she left her home.
Citing accounts from witnesses, she said the gunmen were last seen speeding off towards the direction of Barangay Sto. Niño.
The village chair, who was close to the Jaballa family, said the victim was engaged to her fiancée and was on her way to the latter’s house when the incident happened.
Jaballa was an employee of appliance chain J Marketing Corporation's branch in Koronadal City.
"She's so young. This is really sad for all of us here," Subaldo said.
Meanwhile, at around 5:30 p.m. Saturday, four suspects riding-in-tandem on two motorcycles also held up a store along the national highway in Purok Maunlad, Barangay Saravia in Koronadal City.
Bajo said the suspects stopped in front of the store, held its owner identified as Benjamin Mariano at gunpoint and took his cellphone and PHP8,000 cash.
Before leaving, he said one of the suspects fired several shots at the 40-year-old store owner but fortunately unharmed.
The police official said he has assigned a team to track down the suspects, who appear to be from outside the city.
He advised residents to remain vigilant and immediately report to authorities any unusual movement and the presence of suspicious persons in their communities. (PNA)
