SAN NICOLAS, Ilocos Norte March 04 – A 61-yeard retired policeman died while his fellow retired cop was injured after they were fired upon by two still unidentified motorcycle-riding in tandem armed persons along the national highway at Sam Marcos, here, recently.
Police authorities identified the fatality as Warlito “Lito” Alcaraz Maruquin, 61 years old, married, resident of barangay Bagbag, Solsona, Ilocos Norte while his injured companion was named as Abdon Martillano Laureta, of legal age, married, both retired policemen and both resident of barangay #18, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
Initial police investigation showed the victim and his companion were on board a car proceeding towards the town proper when two still unidentified motorcycle riding in tandem suddenly followed them and fired at them several times hitting them on the different parts of their bodies.
The victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment but Maruquin died while undergoing close medical supervision.
Responding police operatives and elements of the Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) team recovered from the crime scene 1 unit cal. 45 Auto Armscor Pistol with serial number 820482, 1 unit Cal. 45 Auto Armscor Pistol with serial number 904232, 6 pieces magazine assembly for cal. 45 pistol, 48 pieces cal. 45 auto cartridge cases, 8 pieces heat sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected “shabu’ residues. Also recovered at the crime scene were the following: 7 pieces cal. 45 auto fired cartridge cases, 9 pieces cal. 5.56 mm fired cartridge cases and 1 piece deformed fired bullet.
The suspects are now the subject of a manhunt operation to ascertain the motive behind the said incident.
By Dexter A. See