By LIEZLE BASA IÑIGO
Three cellphone technicians were found dead on a provincial road in Barangay Sta. Teresa, Lal-lo, Cagayan, on Thursday, March 12, in what police suspect to be a robbery linked to a meeting over the sale of gold bars.
The victims were identified as Salic, 41; Janisa, 38; and Motaleb, 40, all residents of the Muslim Compound in Barangay Centro 10, Tuguegarao City.
Police said the three had traveled from Tuguegarao City to Camalaniugan, Cagayan for a scheduled meeting involving the gold bar transaction, reportedly near Grupo Medico De Dios Hospital in Barangay Bulala.
Relatives of the victims told investigators they were supposed to join the trip but were left behind because the green Toyota Vios sedan (plate number NFL 4722) could not accommodate everyone.
They later identified two suspects from a police rogue gallery as individuals who had prior dealings with the victims.
Later that afternoon, two construction workers in Barangay Sta. Teresa reported seeing the same green sedan stop near their bunkhouse.
They said two men pulled three bodies from the vehicle before fleeing the area.
Police later recovered the abandoned car about 15 kilometers away in Barangay Abagao, Camalaniugan.
Inside the vehicle, authorities found bloodstains, two fired bullets, five fired cartridge cases believed to be from a .45-caliber pistol, and several personal belongings.
Initial findings showed the victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Their remains were brought to a funeral facility in Lal-lo for post-mortem examination.
Investigators believe robbery was the motive, after ₱1.1 million in cash and a Samsung mobile phone belonging to one of the victims were reported missing.
According to relatives, the victims were Maranaos who worked in a cellphone repair shop and engaged in small business activities in the city.
A manhunt operation is now underway, with police reviewing CCTV footage to trace the suspects’ possible escape route.
