4 dead in drug related crime in Sultan Kudarat

PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Sultan Kudarat - Unidentified armed men massacre four men in a remote village here in what authorities believed was drug related, police said today.Senior Inspector Badrudin Esmael, Pres. Quirino town police chief, told DXOM-AM Radyo Bidasaid three of the victims died on the spot while the fourth victim was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.Killed on the spot were Marvin Dabi, 37, ex-police officerMohammad Bernan, 37, both of Poblacion Quirino, and Noraldin Lucman of Casuga Subdivision, Tacurong City.Pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital was Julius Baybayan, 39.Ismael said the victims were taking coffeein a bamboo hut at the house of Baybayan in Barangay Tualwhen the suspects armed with cal. 45 pistol arrived.Without provocation, the gunmen opened fire on the victims who were unaware of the arrival of the suspects. Responding policemen recovered at least 10 empty shells of cal. 45 pistol.Police investigation showed the 5 p.m.massacre could be drug related.After the shooting, the suspects fled on board a motorbike and were heading toward the village of Sinalukay.