Probers eye drugs in cop’s slay try on brod-in-law

MANILA, Philippines - Investigators are looking into illegal drugs as a possible motive for a Caloocan City policeman’s alleged attempt to kill his brother-in-law in Rodriguez, Rizal, officials said yesterday.

“The information we received is that the Caloocan policeman and his victim are into illegal drugs,” said Superintendent Arthur Masungsong, Rodriguez police chief.

Masungsong said they are verifying the information as Senior Police Officer 1 Melgan Lorenzo has not reported for work since watchmen in Barangay San Jose found his brother-in-law, 21-year-old John Roy Suzon, bleeding on the street Thursday night.

Suzon, who is under observation at the Amang Rodriguez Medical Center, told Masungsong that five men, including Lorenzo, kidnapped him in Pandacan, Manila.

He said his kidnappers hogtied and blindfolded him, then shot him several times before leaving him to die in a secluded spot in Barangay San Jose.

Masungsong said they are trying to find out the identities of Lorenzo’s companions “before filing appropriate charges against them.”