A Quezon City policeman accused of killing a senior citizen two weeks ago was gunned down in front of his house in Port Area, Manila Tuesday.
Police Officer 1 Jay Paguinto, who had gone absent without leave, was killed by a lone gunman at 5:15 p.m. at Block 9 Old Site in Baseco compound.
Recovered from the crime scene were three fired cartridge cases of a .45-caliber pistol.
Before the attack, the 37-year-old cop detailed at the QC Police District Station 3 was reportedly in a heated argument over the phone.
Paguinto was the suspect in the murder of 68-year-old Julito Ramos whose bullet-riddled body was found handcuffed outside the Manila North Cemetery last March 15.
Before the discovery of Ramos’ body, Paguinto was tagged as the person who allegedly mauled and abducted the victim.
Manila Police District Station 5 commander Supt. Emerey Abating said Paguinto was a known in the neighborhood as drug coddler.
Abating said neighbors said Paguinto served as hitman for a drug lord known only as “Kagawad”. He allegedly killed drug peddlers who failed to remit.
Paguinto’s body was brought to Archangel Funeral Parlor for autopsy and safekeeping. (JAIMIE ABIERA)