Ex-cop shot dead, police eye robbery as motive

CEBU, Philippines — A retired policeman was shot dead while he was on his way home by two unidentified assailants on board a motorcycle on M.L. Quezon Avenue, Barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City past 3 a.m. yesterday.

Former Senior Police Officer 2 Willy Amores, 56, of Barangay Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City was on driving his motorcycle from a casino located in Barangay Pusok.

He was with a female companion (name withheld), who is now a vital witness to the crime.

The CCTV footage showed that two men who were wearing helmets and bonnets were following Amores and shot the victim upon reaching the area.

Senior Superintendent Limuel Obon, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office director, said that when Amores’ motorcycle fell to the ground, the gunman disembarked from the motorcycle and shot Amores several times in his head and took his bag allegedly containing the cash that he won in the casino.

Obon added that they are now considering robbery as one of the possible motives.

“Mostly man gud, og modus lang sa mga hitmen nga pagpatay lang ang motive kay pusilon lang gyud na nila ang subject. But sa kani nga panghitabo, makita nato nga ninaug apil ang driver para tabangan ang gunman sa pagkuha sa bag sa victim kay nadat-ugan kini sa lawas,” said Obon.

Obon said Amores’ female companion told the police that the victim already sensed that they were tailed several meters away from the casino.

“Pagliko daw nila padung sa highway kay nakabantay na daw ang victim (Amores) nga naay duha (suspicious persons) nga nag-atang maong gikuha niya iyang pusil nga naa sa bag ug gibutang sa iyang atubangan,” Obon added.

Obon said that Amores won in the casino and he also has a lending business with casino players as his clients.

Obon immediately created a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to conduct a thorough investigation into the killing.

Amores just retired from the PNP service last March.

Meanwhile, Alvin ‘Burgo’ Abella, a son of a former policeman was shot dead in Osmeña Village, Barangay Punta Princesa, Cebu City on Wednesday evening by two unidentified assailants.

Police Chief Inspector Clark Ariola said that they are considering personal grudge as possible motive. — MBG (FREEMAN)