Ecija drug suspect killed, dumped in irrigation canal

STO. DOMINGO, NUEVA ECIJA – A suspected drug trafficker, who surrendered to the police in October 2017, was killed and dumped in an irrigation canal, police said on Sunday.

The body of Delfin Matias, a 54-year-old resident of Talavera town, was fished out of the canal in San Pascual village around 10:30 p.m. Saturday by responding policemen.

Matias bore a gunshot wound in the head. He ranked fifth in the municipality’s drug watch list, according to police.

Two farmers, who were tending to their rice field about 300 meters away from the crime scene, said they saw a maroon van stop in the area where Matias’ remains were discovered. They claimed to have then heard a gunshot and saw the van subsequently speed off, police investigators said.

Forensic investigators recovered one empty shell and a live bullet from a 45-caliber pistol from the scene. /kga