Kin of Ilocos Sur police chief murdered

CABANATUAN CITY – A policeman relative of the provincial director of the Philippine National Police in Ilocos Sur was gunned down by a lone gunman Sunday night which authorities said was tied to the lawman’s business.

Police Superintendent Eliseo Cruz, Cabanatuan police chief, said Police Officer 3 Paulino Gagarin was standing in front of the Via Pharmacy near the Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center along Mabini St. when shot by the gunman at 6:10 p.m. Sunday.

The victim died on-the-spot from a gunshot wound in the head.

Gagarin was a relative of Ilocos Sur PNP provincial director, Senior Superintendent Virgilio Fabros. He was assigned with the Bulacan Provincial Police Office.

The unknown gunman sped away aboard a motorcycle.

Cruz said they are looking at Gagarin’s lending transactions as the possible motive behind the attack. The victim was reportedly engaged in “5-6,” a lending business involving usurious rates.

Police recovered from the murder scene five empty shells from a .45 caliber revolver.

Senor Superintendent Allen Bantolo, Bulacan PNP provincial director, said that while Gagarin was with the BPPO, he has been detailed as a security of Fabros, a former Bulacan assistant provincial police director. – Manny Galvez and Ric Sapnu