AWOL cop charged for doctor’s slay

MALOLOS CITY — A police officer, who went AWOL (absent without official leave) after he was implicated in two murders in 2000, has been formally charged for the May 14 ambush-killing of a hospital owner in Calumpit town.

Witnesses have identified PO1 Leobardo Piadozo, who is assigned to the mountain town of Doña Remedios Trinidad, as one of eight men (the seven others are still unidentified) behind the killing of Dr. Norman Josue, owner of the Sta. Cruz Hospital.

Police sources said Piadozo is also facing charges for the killings of former Doña Remedios Trinidad mayor Maximo Exquivel in March 2000 and one Froilan Bisda on June 17, 2000.

Piadozo reportedly went AWOL after the twin murders.

Josue, brother-in-law of Calumpit Mayor James de Jesus, was gunned down in Barangay Bulusan, Calumpit town hours after he had attended a fiesta celebration.

Josue’s three companions were wounded in the attack.