Former publisher of Zambales newspaper slain

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – A former local newspaper publisher was found murdered on Monday at one of the housing areas inside this former United States military base, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority-Law Enforcement Department (SBMA-LED) said.

The Investigation Division of SBMA-LED identified the fatality as retired US Navy man Sonny Almzan, former publisher of the Zambales Today’s News circulated in this Freeport.

Probers said Almazan’s body was found inside his house in Binictican, here, when his driver, Renato Barbadillo, reported for work.

Almazan was bludgeoned to death with the use of a blunt instrument, possibly a golf club and metal cane which were both found with bloodstains at the scene of the crime, homicide investigators said.

The SBMA-LED are looking at two women he was with Sunday night as possible suspects in the killing. It was also found that Almazan’s cellphone and sling bag suspected to contain cash were missing.

Barbadillo told investigators that there were two females whom the 69-year-old Almazan asked to be fetched from Kalaklan Gate about 9 p.m. Sunday to meet him at a bakery near local mall.

Probers said that after taking the two to Almazan, Barbadillo was told to leave them as Almazan drove the Toyota Fortuner SUV back to his home in Binictican.

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage at the housing area reviewed by investigators supported Barbadillo’s testimony.

SBMA Chairman Wilma T. Eisma said, “In light of this, we condole with the family of the victim and commit the assistance of the SBMA Law Enforcement Department to help in the investigation by the Morong Police Office so that the perpetrators of this crime might be arrested and put to justice.”