PANIQUI, Tarlac – Police are investigating the brutal killing of the younger brother of lawyer-journalist Melanio “Batas” Mauricio Jr. in Barangay Estacion here, at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday.
Police said Ariel Lazo Mauricio, barangay chairman of Barangay Poblacion Centro, Ramos town, was shot dead by two motorcycle-riding men.
The elder Mauricio is a hard-hitting print and broadcast commentator, besides being one of the most sought-after lawyer in the country.
Supt. Salvador Destura, town police chief, said Mauricio was driving his Toyota Vios (ZSV 410) on his way home when he was fired upon at the intersection of Mac Arthur Highway and Ramos-Paniqui road.
The 53-year old victim succumbed to three gunshot wounds in the head and left arm inflicted by a .45-caliber pistol while being treated at the Rayos-Valentin Hospital here at about 1:30 p.m., Tuesday.
Probers learned that prior to his death, Mauricio withdrew cash from the Land Bank branch here and was tailed by his assailants.
Inspector Joel Gamboa, Paniqui Police Investigation Unit officer, ruled out robbery-holdup as possible motive behind the killing since the money withdrawn by the victim was still intact.
Investigators disclosed that Mauricio had received several death threats through text messages from a certain Ka Jo.
Destura bared that Mauricio’s killing could have something to do with the arrest of a drug pusher.
Destura quoted the victim’s wife as saying, “Malamang pinatira siya ‘nung pinahuli niyang pusher (na taga-Ramos)”. (Mar T. Supnad)