Prison official’s slay could be work-related – police

MANILA, Philippines - The Muntinlupa City police and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) are following up leads on the killing of a prison official in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) complex in Muntinlupa City Tuesday.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Roque Vega said yesterday the slaying of Superintendent Francisco Abonales could be work related.

An NBP source said Abonales was relieved from his post at the Sablayan penal colony in Occidental Mindoro last June after a high-profile drug lord was killed in the colony’s public market.

Vega said the BuCor is providing information to investigators that would lead to the identity of the suspects.

Abonales was driving out of his home in the NBP reservation when the gunman appeared and shot the victim several times, Vega said.

A son of Abonales, armed with a 9mm pistol, rushed out of the house and fired, but missed the suspects.

The unidentified gunman and his companion sped away on a motorcycle, police said.

The victim died from multiple gunshot wounds at the Muntinlupa Medical Center.

Abonales’ family had talked to investigators working on the case.

Police will review footages of CCTV cameras installed in the prison complex.