Pubdate: Fri, 13 May 2005
Source: Sun.Star Cebu (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Sun.Star
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1690
Author: Jovy S. Taghoy
Cited: Philippine National Police http://www.pnp.gov.ph
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Summary+Execution
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

MA BLAMES COPS FOR TEEN EX-CON'S KILLING

A TEENAGER who was jailed twice for using shabu and sniffing rugby, a
volatile substance, became the latest fatality in the vigilante-style
killings in Cebu City.

Redem Ramas, 19, of Barangay T. Padilla, died before reaching the Cebu
City Medical Center after getting shot in the head.

Ramas, who was gunned down at the corner of Logarta and Urdaneta Sts.
past 2 p.m. yesterday, was the 53rd victim since the rash of killings
started last Dec. 22.

He was buying cigarettes at a sari-sari store when shot once by a lone
gunman.

Personnel from the Scene of the Crime Operations (Soco) found one
empty .45 shell at the crime scene.

Homicide investigators earlier confirmed that the killings were
"vigilante-style" but admitted they have no leads on the identities of
the perpetrators.

Investigators also observed that the assailants used .45 pistols in
carrying out the killings.

Ramas' mother, Paz, put the blame on the police, whom she accused of
being behind the summary executions in the city.

"Kanang mga vigilantes, mga pulis na (The police are the vigilantes),"
Paz said in an interview with radio dyLA at the city hospital. She
admitted, though, that she has no specific policemen in mind to tag as
suspects, nor evidence to pin them down.

Paz asked why petty criminals were being targeted.

"My son was trying to change. They didn't give him the chance," she
said in Cebuano.

Ramas got out of jail last year.

Operatives from the Mobile Patrol Group and investigators from the
Homicide Section rushed to the scene after receiving a call that an
ex-convict was shot by a lone perpetrator.

Investigators Bobby Escarlan and PO3 Rogelio Nedamo Jr. found Ramas
lying on his back in front of a sari-sari store.

Long Wait

Storeowner Eddie Betito said Ramas bought cigarettes from him when the
gunman approached from behind and shot once.

The gunman then casually walked toward Urdaneta St. near the Patria de
Cebu.

Betito described the gunman to be about 5'7", of medium build, wearing
white T-shirt, a pair of denim shorts, a cap and sunglasses.

A witness told Sun.Star Cebu that an hour prior to the incident, he
saw the gunman sitting on a wooden bench outside the store. He
appeared to be waiting for someone.

 From time to time, the gunman also walked to a nearby basketball court
and then returned to the bench.

Ramas' relative Ryan told reporters that Ramas, whose family used to
reside in Logarta, was going to referee a basketball game.

Since a game was still being played, Ramas was asked to buy
cigarettes.

Shortly after Ramas left the court, Ryan said they heard a gunshot and
then found the victim sprawled on the road.

Records at the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center show that Ramas was
jailed twice.

Ramas was first committed last Feb. 26, 2002 for sniffing rugby. He
was released on March 7. He went back to jail last Nov. 6, 2003 for
using shabu. He served time until July 6, 2004.

Paz said her son had promised her he would change and start a new
life. 
- ---