CIDG cop told to shed light on shooter's slay

MANILA, Philippines - The Northern Police District (NPD) gave a policeman from Camp Crame up to Nov. 7 to appear before its investigators to shed light on the murder of Philippine practical shooting team member Michael Lontoc.

The Special Investigation Task Group Lontoc (SITG Lontoc) wants Police Officer 2 Chris Agustin to reveal all he knows about the killing of Lontoc, his shooting buddy. Agustin was served a one-page summon dated Oct. 28 in his office at the Technical Group of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

“He already received our summons. We expect him to cooperate fully in our investigation to give justice to the death of Lontoc, who is his close friend,” a member of the SITG Lontoc said.

The SITG Lontoc member claimed they decided to summon Agustin following reports that Lontoc was last seen alive in his company at a shooting range in Malabon last Sept. 25.

Lontoc was in his vehicle when he was ambushed by four unidentified armed men at the corner of M.H. del Pilar and Sanciangco Streets in Barangay Catmon. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the body and died while being treated at a hospital.

The SITG Lontoc official said police investigators found out during the investigation that Agustin was “one of the companions of the victim before he was ambushed.”

Lontoc’s mother and his widow have promised to cooperate in the investigation.

Chief Superintendent Alan Purisima, head of the National Capital Region Police Office, said earlier that Lontoc may have been killed for “shortchanging” an international gun smuggling syndicate of the proceeds of firearms he sold.

“Our investigation on Lontoc’s killing is slowly grinding forward. We expect to get results in due time,” a SITG Lontoc member said.