LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Another member of the municipal police in Masbate was killed in an attack believed perpetrated by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in Mobo town Sunday, officials said yesterday.
Police Officer 2 Antonio Lalaguna Jr. was on his motorcycle when two gunmen waylaid him some 50 meters away from his house in Barangay Umabay Exterior.
Last month, Police Officer 1 Anthony Lique was shot dead by five suspected NPA rebels as he was on his way to the Monreal police station.
Lalaguna died at the scene from six gunshot wounds in the chest and one each in his abdomen and neck.
Chief Inspector Briccio Cordova, head of the Mobo police station, said Lalaguna had just come from the house of his brother-in-law when he was attacked at about 5 p.m.
Cordova described the victim as a brave police officer and one of those who defended the Bayombon detachment from an attack by a bandit group in 2003.
Police recovered from the crime scene six slugs and two bullets for a caliber .45 pistol. The victim’s personal belongings and service firearm were found in his possession.
Probers have yet to determine the motive for the killing.