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TACLOBAN CITY – Two former police officers and their two companions were killed in am ambush in Palo, Leyte on Saturday afternoon.
Reports reaching the regional headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) based in Palo said the two former police officers were on board a sports utility vehicle (SUV) when they were ambushed.
The victims were identified as retired police officers Dennis Monteza, 49 and Constantino Torre, 59; and their companions, Ian Pat Cabrido, 43 and Maritess Pami, 46.
Cabrido and Pami were live-in partners while Monteza was the security escort of Cabrido. Torre owned the SUV.
The local police said the victims were in Barangay Libertad when their vehicle was blocked. Three assailants promptly fired at the victims, who were declared dead on arrival at Leyte Provincial Hospital.
“While our investigation is ongoing, we consider this as drug-related since Cabrido was a high-value target. He surrendered during the Oplan Tokhang,” Collado said.