PASUQUIN, Ilocos Norte, Philippines – A cattle trader died after he was shot by still unidentified armed individuals in a forested area at barangay Sta. Catalina here Thursday.
Police identified the fatality as Patrocinio Cacal, of legal age, a cattle trader and a resident of barangay Sta. Catalina, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.
Initial investigation showed the victim’s lifeless body was found by concerned residents who went to the forest to gather wood.
He was immediately rushed by concerned neighbors to a nearby hospital but he was pronounced dead on arrival by attending physicians due to multiple gunshot wounds on the different parts of his head and body.
Responding police operatives and elements of the scene of the crime operation (SOCO) team recovered from the crime scene multiple spent shells of a caliber .45 pistol which was used by the suspects in the perpetration of the crime.
Probers are still ascertaining the real motive behind the victim’s brutal murder although business rivalry could not be discounted. (Dexter A. See)