Ilocos Sur fire marshal killed by subordinate

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union , Philippines  – The deputy provincial fire marshal is now being hunted for gunning down his superior in the latter’s office in Vigan City Tuesday morning.

Senior Superintendent Eduardo Angel Dopale, Ilocos Sur police director, said deputy provincial fire marshal Rey Monico Acena, who is also the concurrent fire marshal of Bantay town, is wanted for killing Fire Superintendent Ruben Pascua, 54, the provincial fire marshal.  

Investigation showed that Pascua just finished dinner in his office at the fire station when Acena arrived on board a motorcycle.

Acena allegedly proceeded immediately to Pascua’s office and then firemen heard two gunshots.

Acena walked out and fled. Pascua was rushed to the Lahoz Hospital but was declared dead on arrival due to gunshot wounds in the head and chest. 

Police recovered from the crime scene a caliber .45 pistol with seven live bullets. 

Investigators are still determining whether the killing was motivated by a personal grudge or was work-related. 

Chief Superintendent Orlando Mabutas, the newly installed Region 1 police director, directed Dopale to hunt down Acena.  – With Artemio Dumlao