Lending collector murdered in Naga

A money-lending collector was shot dead while collecting money from a debtor in Inayagan, Naga town Thursday afternoon.

Lindon Lañas, 28, of sitio Calabera, Pangdan, Naga, was declared dead on arrival at the Minglanilla District Hospital after he was allegedly shot by 64-year-old Engilberto "Dodong" Dacuyan.

Initial investigation conducted by the Naga police revealed that the victim, a collector of a money-lending business co-owned by his wife Gina, was at the house of a certain Roy Rodel, stepson of the suspect, to collect the money due that day.

Police believed that an argument erupted between Lañas and Rodel, prompting Dacuyan to shoot the victim using a .45 caliber pistol.

The victim was hit in the portion of the right neck below the jaw and was immediately brought by responding policemen to the Minglanilla District Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

SPO1 Bienvinido De los Santos, duty officer of the Naga police, told The Freeman yesterday that both Dacuyan and Rodel immediately fled after the incident onboard a gray Suzuki van bearing plate number GRE 660.

Responding policemen recovered from the crime scene a black holster of a .45 caliber pistol, a slug and empty shell about six feet away from the victim's body.

De los Santos said they are still conducting a follow-up investigation to determine the motive of the incident, and have launched a manhunt operation against Dacuyan and Rodel. - Norvie S. Misa