Policeman killed in Payatas

A police officer was killed and his wife was wounded by still unidentified gunmen who opened fire while they were leaving their house in Quezon City yesterday.

According to an initial police investigation, Police Officer 3 Pio Jurada, detailed with the city hall detachment beat patrol unit, and his wife were leaving the Violago Compound, where their house is located, when several men who were apparently waiting in ambush opened fire on them.

Jurada was killed on the spot while his wife, whose name was withheld by the police for her protection, was wounded. She is recuperating in an undisclosed hospital.

Jurada’s colleague, Senior Police Officer 3 Melchor Oca said Jurada had sent him a mobile phone text message at around 8:30 a.m. that he would be late for work because of some personal matters.

"Few minutes later we received a flash report that he was killed" Oca said.

Superintendent Nestor Abalos Quezon, city hall detachment commander, sent investigators to the scene to track down the killers. Police said they have yet no idea why Jurada was murdered.