EX-CON SHOT DEAD

Last night saw the killing of the 35th victim of vigilante hitmen this year.

Joel Duran, 33, single, mason, who was released after serving his term
at the Davao Penal and Prison Farm (formerly Davao Penal Colony)
sometime in March 2004 for a drug case, was shot dead at 7:40 p.m.
while he was in a store near their house in Dominican Street, Times
Beach, Ecoland, Barangay 76-A.

Duran was allegedly buying something when two men on board a
motorcycle arrived and peppered him with bullets.

He sustained four gunshot wounds on the head, arms and body, and was
rushed to the Davao Medical Center where he was pronounced dead few
minutes later.

The suspects fled on board their motorcycle to an unknown
direction.

Responding policemen recovered four spent shells of .45 caliber pistol
from the crime scene.

Leonardo Canete, barangay councilman of 76-A told reporters Duran has
been known to peddle rugby in their area in the past.

"This person was also involved in gangsterism but I do not know his
involvement now prior to the killing," he said.

Duran's mother said prior to the shooting, the victim was buying food
at a nearby store, after checking if the household had prepared supper.

The killing came after a lady councilor, in her first speech at the
opening of the 14th City Council yesterday morning, has vowed to
continue the advocacy against summary executions and rally her
collegues in addressing the persistent issue on summary executions.

Councilor Angela Librado-Trinidad said "people are wantonly killed and
suspects do not have their day in court with the police and military
inutile in the face of this violence."

"There is no compromise on the issue of vigilante killings. The people
are getting used to the killings so much so that some are in fact
beginning to accept extra-judicial executions as legitimate and
justified," she said.

She said if not averted, there would be more senseless deaths.