Masbate gold miner slain

By Mar S. Arguelles

A 32-year-old male gold panner was killed on the spot while another was wounded when armed men fired at them on Monday (June 21) night in Aroroy town in Masbate province, a police report said.

Major Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, has identified the slain victim as Jerson Cinco, while the wounded was Osias Laos, 26, a gold panner, both from Barangay Concepcion.

Police report said the victim was standing at a small store at around 6:50 PM when three suspects approached him and one of them armed with a handgun, shot the victim several times killing him on the spot.

While the other victim who was sitting in a nearby waiting shed beside the store was wounded when hit by a stray bullet.

The suspects fled immediately after the shooting.

Police investigators are still looking into the possible identities of the suspects and the motive of the killing.