Media Scans on Violent Crimes Against Businesses, Smuggling, and Counterfeit Goods, December 2020

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Featured Crimes

Junk Shop Owner Slain in Isabela

December 14 – Motorcycle-riding gunmen killed a 44-year old junk shop owner, (a junk shop is a store buying and selling scrap metal), in barangay Marana 1st in Ilagan City. The victim, identified as Manuel Camungao, was reportedly on board a forward truck when the incident occurred. The crime reportedly took place at around 6:00 AM.

Reports disclosed that Manuel Camungao was en route to Cabagan City when the assailants opened fire. The victim was reportedly able to get out of the vehicle in an attempt to escape when the gunmen chased and repeatedly shot Camungao. The suspects reportedly sped towards the village of Baligatan to escape the scene.

According to local sources, the wife of Camungao disclosed that her husband had no known enemies or conflicts to instigate the murder. An investigation was underway.

Business Rivalry Eyed in Murder of Realtor in Davao City

December 21 – An unidentified assailant shot and killed a realtor in front of a J&T Express office in Matina, Davao City. The victim, identified as Susana Villaceran, was reportedly walking out of the office with her partner when the incident occurred.

According to a witness, a lone gunman reportedly fired towards the couple on their way to their parked vehicle. The victims were immediately brought to a nearby hospital. However, Villaceran was dead on arrival. Meanwhile, her partner, identified as Ceswen Umacob, was wounded in the attack.

Authorities suspect business rivalry as a possible motive to the crime. However, investigators revealed that the assailants took Villaceran’s bag to make it appear as a robbery. Authorities also revealed that Villaceran was a consultant for the National Bureau of Investigation after recovering a discarded badge at the crime scene.

Police personnel disclosed that Villaceran was already attacked by unidentified armed assailants in a previous incident. In 2018, Villaceran was reportedly ambushed with her son in front of her office in Tagum City. Her son, identified as Senen Villaceran, was killed in the attack. In a separate incident, another son was murdered in an attack in Samal City. Both cases were reportedly unsolved.