3 teenagers massacred in Pangasinan ambush

Unidentified men with high-powered firearms gunned down three of four high school students, who were on their way home after attending a wake in Pangasinan province shortly before midnight Friday. The deadly ambush occurred at the boundary of San Raymundo and San Miguel villages in Balungao town in Pangasinan, radio dzBB reported Sunday. Three of the boys, all aged 14, died instantly, while a fourth managed to flee. Initial investigation showed the victims were going home towards San Raymundo after attending a wake in San Miguel when they were ambushed at about 11:30 p.m. A separate report on state-run Philippines News Agency said the victims were third-year high school students of the Balungao High School. The PNA report also said Balungao deputy police head Inspector Rodolfo Olinda Jr. identified the fatalities as Paul Brian Villapa, Brian Villapa and Mike Sapiil. Shells recovered from the crime scene indicated the assailants used M-16 and M-14 rifles, and a carbine. — ELR, GMA News