CAMP JULIAN OLIVAS, San Fernando City, Pampanga – Two agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) had a heated altercation inside a cockpit arena in Capas, Tarlac Wednesday evening, leading to the death of one of them.
Chief Supt. Aaron N Aquino, Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) director, identified the victim as Lavernie Vitug, 53, security officer of NBI-Tarlac and resident of San Sebastian, Tarlac City; and the suspect as Boy de Castro, intelligence officer of NBI-Manila with last known address at Green Village, Concepcion, Tarlac.
In their report to Aquino, the Tarlac Police Provincial Office (TPPO), headed by Senior Supt. Westrimundo Obinque, said that the two NBI officers were seen arguing inside Triple 888 Cockpit Coliseum around 6:20 p.m.
An eye witness said De Castro confronted Vitug for betting while wearing an NBI uniform. Their confrontation continued outside with the victim demanding the suspect’s credentials.
“Vitug then left and went to his parked vehicle, took a revolver, and approached De Castro who was already inside his vehicle, then pointed it to De Castro and threatened him,” according to the police report.
De Castro alighted from his vehicle, hurled his badge toward the victim and fired his pistol at Vitug.
Obinque said De Castro fled the place on board his vehicle, taking along the victim’s revolver.
Recovered from the crime scene were three empty shells of still undetermined caliber.
“The Tarlac police is going after the suspect and we hope to arrest him the soonest,” said Obinque.
(FRANCO G. REGALA)
