Businessman found dead in Caloocan

MANILA, Philippines - A businessman was found dead in what appears to be a case of suicide in Caloocan City yesterday.

The victim was identified as Esteban Espiritu III, 46, resident of 179 McArthur Highway near Monumento, Caloocan City. He died of a gunshot wound in the head from a .45 caliber pistol.

Senior Police Officer 2 Vivencio Gamboa, senior investigator at the Bagong Barrio Police Station (BBPT), said family and relatives found Espiritu’s body at around 6:30 a.m. at the master’s bedroom.

Northern Police District Scene of the Crime Operatives (NPD-SOCO), who processed the scene found the victim still holding a .45 caliber pistol in his right hand. They recovered a spent shell on the floor.

Family and relatives told probers Espiritu was despondent over some business matters prior to the incident. Authorities, however, have not discounted the possibility of foul play in Espiritu’s death.      – Jerry Botial