Family problem eyed in tanod’s slay

By Felipe V. Celino 

 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Family problem is eyed as the motive behind the shooting to death of a 37-year-old barangay tanod or village police Thursday afternoon in Brgy. Sinabsaban Cuartero, Capiz.

Investigation by the Cuartero Municipal Police Station indicated that a relative might be behind the killing of barangay tanod Relic Estorque.

Police said the victim knew the gunman who called him out on the night of the incident.

Bullets rained on Estorque as soon as he went out of their house.

According to Police Major Alfred De Leon, chief of Cuartero Municipal Police Station, Estorque was alone in his house when the incident happened.

The victim’s father Wilfredo told the police that he heard gunfire while he was harvesting corn from their plantation a kilometer away.

He went home and saw his bloodied son lying near the door of the house.

The victim was taken to Senator Gerry Roxas Memorial District Hospital in Dao, Capiz but he was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Police recovered from the crime scene 8 empty shells and a slug of .9mm caliber ammunition.

According to Ernie Dichosa, village chief of Sinabsaban, Estorque was jailed for a homicide case in Iloilo City two years ago.

 

Dichosa said the victim also shot his older brother and brother-in-law.

The village chief said that the victim also threatened him, but he managed to forgive the latter.

Estorque was separated from his wife, with whom he had one child.

Meanwhile, the police are facing a blank wall as to the identity of the suspects. While they have a person of interest, they need witnesses to validate the information.

De Leon appealed to the public to report to the police whoever witnessed the incident to strengthen their case against the suspect.