Cops hunt killer of American diver

MANILA, Philippines—Police are now hunting a security guard at Hamilton Heights Subdivision in Las Piñas City who fled after shooting dead an American diver who helped in the retrieval of the body of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo who was killed in a plane crash off Masbate in August last year.

Police identified Ericson Elacquio  of the South Star Security Agency as the primary suspect in the killing of Matthew Caldwell, 59, around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday.

A spot report from Chief Inspector Eddie Galang of the Las Piñas police said Elacquio shot Caldwell during an argument at the gates of the subdivision.

Caldwell and his live-in partner, Jeanelyn Flora, 36, were in their Toyota Corolla on their way home  when Elacquio barred them entry, arguing the couple had not paid their monthly dues to homeowners association.

The couple got off the car to confront the security guard, with Caldwell attempting to raise the wooden boom at the gate, prompting Elacquio to draw his gun and shoot Caldwell pointblank in the face.

Elacquio escaped with another security guard on a commandeered red motorcycle with plate number IA-4929.

The Philippine Coast Guard said Caldwell was one of the foreign technical divers who helped in the search for and retrieval of Robredo’s body from the wreck of his chartered plane.

Las Piñas police identified Caldwell as  director of a company called Allegro.