NPD: Same gun used in Malabon, Valenzuela murders

MANILA, Philippines - The same .45 caliber pistol was used in the murders of a Malabon homeowners’ association president and the former head of a transport group in Valenzuela, according to the results of a ballistics test done by the Northern Police District (NPD).

Superintendent Ferdinand del Rosario, NPD investigation division chief, said the bullets that killed Ernesto Gulfo, 52, president of a homeowners’ association in Barangay Catmon, Malabon; and Richard Ilagan, 42, former leader of the Canumay-Punturin-Lawang Bato tricycle drivers and operators group in Valenzuela, came from the same .45 caliber pistol.

“Laboratory examination of bullet shells and slugs recovered from the crime scenes of both murders showed they came from one .45 caliber pistol,” he told The STAR yesterday. 

The NPD is still trying to determine whether the weapon is licensed or a loose firearm.

Gulfo was gunned down inside his house in Barangay Catmon at around 7:10 a.m. on May 30 while Ilagan was waylaid in Barangay Lingunan in Valenzuela City at around 6:30 a.m. on March 8.