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2 ex-cops, 2 companions dead in Palo ambush

Philippines | Luzon

2 ex-cops, 2 companions dead in Palo ambush

By Marie Tonette Marticio

TACLOBAN City - Two retired police officers and two other companions were killed in an ambush Saturday evening in Palo, Leyte.

Palo Municipal Police Chief Maj. Jomen Collado identified the victims as Dennis Monteza and Constantino Torre, who were in-laws and were both retired police officers, and residents of Barangay Libertad; Ian Pat Dolina, a high-value individual related to illegal drugs; and his live-in partner Maritess Pami.

Initial investigation disclosed that the victims were on board a white pickup truck when still unidentified suspects on board another vehicle riddled their vehicle with a barrage of gunshots.

The victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds in different parts of their bodies.

Torre died on-the-spot, while Monteza, Dolina and Pami expired while being treated at a hospital in Palo.

The official said the motive of the killing could be drug-related.

Authorities were still conducting a follow-up investigation on the incident.

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