Police intel officer, 6 others shot dead

A police intelligence officer, an employee of the Department of Public Works and Highways and a drug surrenderee and his companion were gunned down in separate incidents yesterday.

Three others were shot dead in Ilocos Norte, Cagayan and Rizal on Friday.

Police Officer 3 Christopher John Duarte, 36, was driving his motorcycle along the highway in Barangay Palattao, Naguilian, Isabela when unidentified men emerged from a black sport utility vehicle and opened fire at around 9:40 a.m.

Duarte was the head of the intelligence section of the Sto. Tomas police station. He had just came from the Police Regional Training Center in Cauayan, where he underwent schooling, when he was waylaid.

Senior Inspector Francisco Dayag, Naguilian police chief, said Duarte was formerly with the Ilagan police where he stood witness against several drug personalities.

Fernando Landicho, assistant district engineer of Carmona, Cavite, was washing his car in his garage in Purok 2, Barangay Banadero, Tanauan, Batangas when an unidentified man approached and shot him at close range.

The gunman fled on a motorcycle toward Talisay town.

Businessman Marwin Calina, 53, and Julius Ancheta were in a convoy of sport utility vehicles when they were ambushed in Barangay Bani, Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.

Police said Calina surrendered under Oplan Tokhang last year and was engaged in construction business.

The four companions of the victims were wounded and taken to the Governor Roque Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Roland Canapi, 30, a resident of Barangay Cataggaman Nuevo, Tuguegarao, Cagayan, was shot by a man who pretended to buy meat at his stall at the Don Domingo public market.

Monico Aguinaldo, 50, an employee of the municipal government of Pinili, Ilocos Norte, was shot while playing billiard in Barangay ApatutLubong. PO3 Jessie Baligad, 41, the brother of the alleged assailant, Benny, 51, who was present during the attack, was arrested in a follow-up operation yesterday.

Rigeme Cortez and his relative Mark Arce were walking along the road in Barangay Maybancal, Morong, Rizal when they were shot by a motorcycle-riding assailant.

Cortez died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.

Arce was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Probers have yet to determine the motives for the killings.