ILOILO – The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) is calling on the public to settle their financial obligations responsibly weeks following the fatal shooting of a pastor in Pavia town, allegedly over an unpaid debt of P300,000.
Pastor Douglas Jover was shot dead on January 10, in Barangay Anilao, Pavia. Authorities identified the suspects as three Indian nationals engaged in a lending business in Iloilo City and nearby areas.
Police Colonel Bayani Razalan, IPPO director, emphasized the importance of honoring financial commitments to prevent similar violent incidents.
“If we borrow money, we must pay it back,” he said, noting that this principle applies regardless of the lender’s nationality.
Murder charges have been filed against the three suspects, aged 19 to 25.
According to Pavia Municipal Police Station chief Major Harold Rendora, strong material and testimonial evidence facilitated their quick identification.
However, police have yet to confirm whether the suspects are still in Iloilo or have fled the province or country.
During a press conference at the IPPO headquarters, Razalan, Rendora, and Deputy Chief for Operations Lieutenant Gabriel Maguera assured the public of ongoing efforts to locate and apprehend the perpetrators.
The case has drawn attention to informal lending practices, particularly those involving “5-6” moneylenders, known for offering high-interest loans that often lead to repayment disputes./PN
