Persons of interest in ex-Pangasinan PNP exec’s murder identified

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines — Police have identified two persons of interest who could shed light on the murder of former Pangasinan police director Marlou Chan in Calasiao last Thursday.

Edwin Ferrer, a resident of Barangay Gayaman in Binmaley, reportedly offered to accompany Mendoza to the hospital after he was shot, while businessman Ashok Vasandani of Dagupan City met with the former police official in a restaurant shortly before the incident, Lt. Col. Joseph Fajardo, Calasiao police chief, said. 

Fajardo said Vasandani followed Mendoza’s vehicle when they left the restaurant.

Police clarified that persons of interest are not necessarily suspects.

Ferrer was arrested during a raid on his house a day after Mendoza was killed. He reportedly yielded a caliber .45 pistol, bullets and a hand grenade.

Ferrer, who was tagged in contract killings, has a pending case for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition before a court in Pangasinan.

“He was a former provincial police director and had a colorful service and business interests... For now we cannot disclose yet the likeliest angle because we are still investigating,” Fajardo said.

Chan was Pangasinan police director from 2013 to 2015 before he was assigned to Camp Crame until he retired in March last year.