Wife of policeman in drug list certain a rival is behind husband’s killing

CEBU, Philippines - The wife of a retired police officer who was reportedly in President Rodrigo Duterte's narco list and who was killed in a shooting incident in Sitio Tagaytay, Barangay Vito, Minglanilla, Wednesday believed his death was masterminded by her husband's "rival."

While Jessica Nabua was not clear who she was referring to as behind the killing of SPO2 Ronilo "Onil" Nabua, Minglanilla Police Station Chief Florendo Fajardo said she may have meant somebody who was also after a property her husband was planning to buy.

There are unverified reports that before he was shot, Nabua, withdrew a big amount of money for a property he was planning to buy.

"Basin iyang pasabot sa business opponent kay ang pagpalit sa yuta," Fajardo said.

Jessica, though, pleaded that she would give her full cooperation with the police after her husband's burial.

Nabua, aside from being named twice by the president in his list of persons involved in the illegal drug trade, was considered by Minglanilla police as a "high value target."

Fajardo said that Jessica initially told them that the gunman was a certain "Reybak." Nequisa Taberos, Nabua's househelp, said the policeman knew the gunman as he even gave him a .45 pistol supposedly to protect his family.  Nabua was entering his house last Wednesday when shot in the head. Dario Sellote, 48, said he was painting Nabua's multicab when the gunman shot Nabua in the mouth.

Sellote was also attacked but he managed to run away from the scene, while the gunman fled using a motorcycle towards the mountainous area of the place, bringing with him Nabua's black bag that contained cash and other important items.

Nabua was rushed to the South General Hospital but died along the way, while Sellote was brought to the Minglanilla District Hospital for treatment of his injuries but was referred to a hospital in Cebu City for further medication. (FREEMAN)