TACLOBAN CITY – A 44-year-old police officer gunned down a 30-year-old teacher due to alleged jealousy on Wednesday afternoon, May 3, in Barangay 43, Quarry District here.
Police identified the victim as Jessica Durana, 30, a resident of Barangay 42, this city.
Durana’s mother told police that she and her daughter were walking toward the pathway in Barangay 43 when the suspect, Police Senior Master Sgt. Van Gregory Benitez, 44, assigned to the Tacloban City Police Office, suddenly appeared from behind and stood in front of them.
Benitez pointed a short firearm and fired several shots at the victim while uttering the word "Sorry, Jessica."
The suspect casually walked away to the exit of the pathway in Barangay 44 and disappeared.
Responding policemen found the victim lying on the pavement in the middle of the pathway with multiple bullet wounds in the body.
The victim's body was taken to the Tacloban City Hospital after crime scene processing and was officially declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Police have launched a thorough investigation and hot pursuit operation against the suspect.