Suspect in Abra ex-reporter’s slay charged

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – Police yesterday filed murder charges against the prime suspect in the killing of a former reporter turned government lawyer in Bangued, Abra on Oct. 8, 2014.

Jay Jay Tineza, a resident of Barangay Tugadi in Tayum, Abra was charged before the Department of Justice for the murder of Jacinto “Jack” Turqueza, said Abra police spokesperson Inspector Mary Grace Marron.

A task group created by Abra police director Senior Superintendent Albertlito Garcia investigated the killing.

The probe cited statements of witnesses who identified Tugadi as the gunman. Turqueza was riding his motorcycle when he was  gunned down in front of a department store along Taft street in Bangued at 6:25 p.m.

Police records show that Tugadi, who remains at large, is also involved in a string of criminal cases in the province.

Turqueza was a Manila Bulletin correspondent and reporter of Abra Today and Tinig ng Bayan before his stint as administrative officer at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor.