2 MORE SHOT DEAD

- - 14th and 15th victims in June are tattoo artist and a balut vendor, respectively

- - One victim was shot and killed inside his house while the other was found dumped in an open canal

A TATTOO artist was shot dead inside his house by a lone gunman while a balut vendor was found dead with several gunshots wounds on an open canal in Ma-a, Davao City, Wednesday night.

The incidents bring to 15 the number of victims killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen for the month of June.

Police identified the victims as Rodel Simbajon, 21, tattoo artist, resident of Loyalty Street, Don Julian Village in Maa, Davao City, and one Roberto Gawin Jr., 22, balut vendor, of Lumicad Compound also in Ma-a.

Investigation conducted by the Talomo Police Precinct showed that Simbajon was feeding his child in his house at around 7:45 p.m.  when a lone gunman appeared and without any provocation shot him several times hitting him in the head and body.

The suspect reportedly left the place casually and boarded a waiting motorcycle few meters away from victim's house and sped off.

Simbajon's wife, who was inside the house when the incident happened, described the suspect to be in his early 30's, 5'4" in height, with medium built, and wearing stripe blue t-shirt, jeans, and white baseball cap.

The Scene of the Crime Operation ( Soco ) team led by Senior Inspector Guaza recovered three empty shells of caliber .45 pistol from the crime scene.

Simbajon's mother-in-law ( name not identified ), who lives in the same house, said the victim was allegedly jailed for theft and drug-related cases before.

"Na-priso na siya sauna kadtong didto pa mi namuyo sa Boulevard ( He was jailed when we were still living in Boulevard )," she said.

She, however, said Simbajon stopped his illegal activities and focused on his present work as tattoo artist.

"Ni-undang na siya dugay na.  Nagbagong-buhay na siya, pagpaminta na lang na iyang pangita karon ( He already stopped long time ago )," she added,

It was learned that Simbajon's 16-year-old live-in partner is now pregnant with their second child.

Meanwhile, Gawin was found dead at around 5:45 a.m.  Thursday, dumped in an open canal near the crossing going to the Davao City motorpool in Ma-a.

Investigation conducted by SPO2 Celestino Macalimot, SPO2 Policarpo Ballenas, and PO2 Reynaldo Gustido, of the Talomo police showed that Gawin along with another balut vendor identified as Jeypee Tinio, resident of the same place, were selling balut at about 12 midnight Thursday when they were approached by two unidentified men aboard a motorcycle.

One of the two suspects shot Gawin who managed to run away.

Tinio alleged that upon seeing the incident, he called the attention of a policeman, but the latter was said busy texting on his cellphone.  Gawin was later found dead dead.

According to Gawin's wife Glean, her husband was allegedly jailed before.  She did not however, said if her husband was involved in illegal drugs.

"Na-priso lang na siya sauna tungod sa away-away.

Mopalit man gud na ug away sa iyang mga barkada ( He was jailed before because of his involvement in some troubles )", she said.

On Tuesday morning, a shoe repairman, who was allegedly involved in drugs, was shot dead by motorcycle-riding men in front of the Mercury drug store in front of Agdao public market.

Abraham Aquino, 38, shoe repairman, of Lakandula Street on Agdao, was the 13th victim killed by vigilantes in June, and the 31st victim of the series of killings in the city since January this year.  JGR