Ilocos cop slain right in his office

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – A police officer was gunned down right inside the office of the public safety department in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte’s capital, before dawn yesterday.

The victim, SPO4 Edwin Aquino, 52, did not reach the hospital alive. He was shot in the head at around 4:20 a.m. yesterday, said Chief Superintendent Franklin Bucayu, Ilocos regional police director.

Bucayu formed a special task group to investigate the killing of Aquino, who was reportedly on duty as a traffic policeman when he was slain.

The killing came a day before today’s visit of Philippine National Police chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome to Ilocos Norte.

More than a week ago, a couple was killed in an ambush while en route to the Batac City public market to sell their goods. A suspect has been arrested.