NATION

Retired policeman shot, now missing

Perseus Echeminada

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A retired police officer was shot multiple times outside his home in Villamar Subdivision, Barangay Iponan, last Friday afternoon and is now reported missing, leaving authorities puzzled about the motive and suspects.

Police Captain Amelita Simon of Cagayan De Oro Police Office said the victim, a retired officer from Lanao del Sur, was attacked by unidentified men armed with an M-16 rifle and pistols as he stepped out of his house at Block 6, Lot S29. The suspects fired first hitting him in the right leg, causing him to fall, then continued shooting before fleeing in a Toyota car and motorcycle.

The attack was captured on nearby CCTV cameras.

The victim was rushed to a hospital but police found no record of him at any medical facility in the city. Relatives refused to disclose his whereabouts or confirm his condition and requested that his identity remain confidential.

At the crime scene, operatives recovered 14 empty M-16 shell casings and two .45 caliber shells. Investigators have also obtained the license plate number of the getaway vehicle.

Authorities continue to search for the missing retired officer and investigate the incident.