‘Killer’ cop shot dead

MANILA, Philippines - A policeman who went AWOL or absent without official leave early this month after being charged with his second murder case was gunned down near his house in Manila Tuesday afternoon.

Unidentified assailants shot dead Police Officer 1 Jerald Paguinto, 37, near his house in Baseco Compound, Port Area in Manila at around 5:15 p.m.

Paguinto, assigned with the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), died at the scene, police reported.

Investigators found out from residents that Paguinto “was involved in the illegal drug trade, as a coddler” and are eyeing revenge and drug-related matters as among the motives for his murder.

Paguinto was reportedly a hitman for “Kagawad,” a drug lord based in Baseco Compound. He would kill those who fail to remit their payment, according to a report by Manila Police District (MPD) Station 5 commander Superintendent Emerey Abating.

Investigators said Paguinto was linked to the killing of Julito Ramos in Talipapa, Quezon City on March 5, he added.

Kagawad owns Paguinto’s house in Baseco and another in Tondo, Abating said.

No irregularities – QCPD

QCPD director Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar yesterday denied having information on Paguinto’s alleged drug links.

He said they received no “yellow warning” when Paguinot was transferred to the QCPD in October last year, then detailed at the Talipapa station anti-illegal drugs unit in December 2016 until the unit was dissolved last month.

The officer was then transferred to another unit where he became a follow-up operative of the station.

Eleazar said Paguinto was not involved in any “irregularities” during his time at the station prior to his being linked to the murder of Ramos, 68, who was found handcuffed outside the Manila North Cemetery in Quezon City on March 5.

A 17-year-old witness told police he saw Paguinto load Ramos’ bloodied body onto his motorcycle following a brief altercation outside a bar.

Paguinto “settled” the first murder case against him with the victim’s family, the QCPD said.

3 more slain

In Caloocan City, one of two men riding a motorcycle shot dead purok (community) leader Rodolfo “Balweg” Barretto, 68, while the victim was reading a newspaper near the barangay outpost of Phase 1 Exchange 8 in Bagong Silang at past 9 p.m.

Police officers recovered six .45 caliber slugs at the crime scene.

Barretto’s relatives claimed he had received death threats through text messages and had not taken part in creating the community’s drug watchlist.

Police recovered six .45 caliber slugs at the crime scene.

Also in Caloocan, an unidentified man with a gunshot wound in the forehead was found at a vacant lot in Barangay 12 at past midnight yesterday. Police officers and barangay watchmen found a sachet said to contain shabu on the body.

In Pasay City, alleged robber Albert Tabura was repeatedly shot by two men wearing bonnets and jackets as he stepped out of a convenience store along Mahogany street at around 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Tabura died at the scene.

Arrested robber killed

In Mandaluyong City, three motorcycle-riding men shot dead suspected robber Elvis Buragay, 24, as barangay watchmen were bringing him for a medical checkup following his arrest last Tuesday.

Buragay was reportedly known as a thief and robber in Barangay Addition Hills and was also in the drug watchlist, said Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, Eastern Police District director.

Initial investigation showed that Buragay was arrested by village watchmen in connection with a theft along Martinez street at past 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The watchmen decided to bring Buragay to the hospital for medical examination and clearance. While the barangay vehicle was en route to the hospital, three armed assailants blocked their path and shot at Buragay. – With Perseus Echeminada, Non Alquitran