PNP Region IV-A legal officer shot dead, partner injured

A legal officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP)  in Southern Luzon died after being ambushed by a lone gunman on a motorbike in Antipolo City while on his way to Quiapo Church early on Friday morning.

Rizal Provincial Director Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar said lawyer Supt. Ramy Tagnong was on his red Toyota Innova with his partner Maria Angela Cabaltera Hadap, 36, of Mahanbang Parang in Angono, when the gunman on a red Kawasaki motorcycle shot at his vehicle along Barangay Dalig I around 6:40 a.m.

Tagnong, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds, was rushed to the Antipolo Doctors Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. Hadap, who had three gunshot wounds in her back and one in her left arm, is now in stable condition, according to a report from the Rizal Provincial Police Office (PPO).

The two were from the Angono Lumber Silk and were going to Quiapo Church when they were shot, Eleazar said.

Eleazar said the police were looking into Tagnong’s  work as legal officer where he reviewed administrative cases of erring policemen since Sept. 2015 as possible motive behind the ambush.

His partner told police Tagnong had no death threat and known enemy. “It’s the most possible motive so far, but we are still conducting an investigation,” Eleazar added.

Tagnong was legally separated from his first wife and had two children, Eleazar said.

A special task force led by Rizal PPO’s Senior Supt. Noli Bathan has been formed to investigate Tagnong’s killing. —Jodee A. Agoncillo