Ex-PAL exec found dead

A former vice president of Philippine Airlines (PAL) and regional chairman of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council was found dead yesterday inside his room at the Sulu Hotel in Quezon City.

Dominador Avillasona, 76, a resident of Mandaue in Cebu City, was discovered in a state of rigor mortis inside Room 234. Investigators from the Central Police District said the victim had been dead for at least six hours when discovered at 9 a.m. The body bore no external injuries.

According to PO2 Joseph Madrid, officer-on-case, the body was discovered by Avillasona’s colleague Edgardo Codilla and the hotel’s security officer Zaldy Calvena.

Police sources said the victim might have suffered a heart attack the night before. Authorities said Avillasona had a history of heart ailments.

Reports showed that Codilla and Calvena forced their way inside the victim’s bedroom when Avillasona failed to show up at the lobby to check out. Executives of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council had been staying at the said hotel for a summit meeting.

Meanwhile, a policeman and his companion were killed, while two others were injured after a group of still unidentified armed men opened fire on them the other night inside a billiard hall in Quezon City.

PO1 Noel Odiada, 30, of CPD-Station 7, and his companion identified only as "Rocky" both sustained multiple bullet wounds in the body and died on the spot.

Ernesto Estrado, 31, and Jantin Mendoza, the owner of the billiard hall in Barangay Malaya, also suffered gunshot wounds and are receiving treatment at the Quirino Hospital. – Matthew Estabillo