4 gunmen kill Iloilo cop

ILOILO CITY – A police officer was shot to death in Tubungan town, Iloilo on Monday evening by four gunmen who introduced themselves as members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

Master Sgt. Arnel Paurillo, 42, of Brgy Bongol, San Vicente, Guimbal, Iloilo, was assigned at Tubungan PNP and on detached service with the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).

Police reports said Paurillo was at the house of a civilian when the shooting took place.

He was waiting for an intelligence operative to plan the arrest of a wanted person at Teniente Benito village, Tubungan, Iloilo, the report said.

The Tubungan police found Paurillo lying at the kitchen floor with gunshot wounds on different parts of his body.

He was declared dead on the spot by Dr. Antonio Recodo, rural health physician of Tubungan.

In a statement on Tuesday, Brig. Gen. Rene Pamuspusan, Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 (Western Visayas) regional director, condemned the cop’s killing.

Pamuspusan ordered an in-depth investigation to identify and arrest the suspects.

He assured that witnesses will be given due protection.

“Let us continue to unite and stand against terrorism in Western Visayas so that these ruthless criminals would finally meet their end,” he said.

Paurillo entered the police service on Sept. 30, 2004. (PNA)

“Let us continue to unite and stand against terrorism in Western Visayas so that these ruthless criminals would finally meet their end,”