ILOILO – Four gunmen who introduced themselves as members of the New People’s Army (NPA) peppered with bullets a policeman in Tubungan town.
Forty-two-year-old Police Master Sergeant Arnel Paurillo, a resident of Guimbal town, was at the house of civilian friend Rodolfo Talamillo when attacked.
It happened at around 9:30 p.m. on Monday, according to Police Lieutenant Jose Romel Samson, Tubungan police chief.
Paurillo was waiting for intelligence operatives of the Tubungan police station to plan the arrest of a wanted person in Barangay Teniente Benito.
Samson said Paurillo was talking to Talamillo when armed men suddenly barged in, then two of them shot the police officer several times.
The gunmen claimed they were NPA rebels. Three of them were wearing facemasks.
Paurillo was assigned at the Tubungan police station and on detached service with the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO). Colleagues found him bloodied on the kitchen floor.
According to the rural health physician of Tubungan, Dr. Antonio Recodo, Paurillo died instantly.
Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Police Regional Office 6 director, condemned Paurillo’s killing.
He ordered an investigation to identify and arrest the suspects.
Spent bullet shells of a .45 pistol and .9MM pistol were recovered from the crime scene.
“Let us continue to unite and stand against terrorism in Western Visayas so that these ruthless criminals would finally meet their end,” said Pamuspusan.
Paurillo entered the police service on Sept. 30, 2004.
Samson said Paurillo appeared to be the lone target; the gunmen spared Talamillo.
“He was a good officer,” said Samson.
Police Colonel Paul Kenneth Lucas, IPPO director, said, “We are deeply saddened by the death of Master Sergeant Paurillo in the course of fulfilling his duty to enforce the law and fight criminality.”
Pamuspusan appealed to the people of Tubungan who have knowledge of the incident to cooperate in the investigation. He assured them of protection. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency/PN)
