13th victim was just trying to sell insurance, condominium unit

BIÑAN CITY, Laguna—The family of Paul Acedillo Quiohilag, 42, believed he was only a collateral damage in the alleged shootout between government security forces and criminals in Quezon province a week ago.

Thirteen people, including Quiohilag, three policemen and three soldiers, were killed in that alleged shootout.

Rodelia Claridad, 48, said the only reason Quiohilag, a licensed real estate and insurance broker, was with the group of Victor Siman, the target of the authorities, was that he was doing “business.”

The only link her brother had to the alleged criminals was police Supt. Alfredo Consemino, to whom Quiohilag was trying to sell an apartment in a condominium property in Alabang town, Laguna province, she said.

“He was carrying the proposal that he and his staff rushed over several days for his presentation in Bicol,” Claridad said, pointing to Quiohilag’s laptop, which was found on the scene of the alleged clash.

According to Claridad, Quiohilag, a broker for Filinvest and a manager at the Fortune Life Insurance Co., met Consemino about nine days before that tragic Sunday.

When he learned that Consemino operated a security agency Quiohilag also offered him a life-insurance policy, too, Claridad said.

Quiohilag, a father of four, earned commissions on sales.

Claridad said her brother’s family lived a simple life in a rented apartment after their house in Barangay De la Paz here was damaged by flood.

Quiohilag’s wife, who worked in a hospital, where she’s now confined. She passed out after she heard about her husband’s death.

Claridad said her brother’s body was among the last ones released by the funeral home in Quezon because his family could not immediately pay for the services.