News update PNP: Cattle rustlers behind 1st media killing under Noynoy admin

Cattle rustlers were behind the killing of a media practitioner in Tabuk City in Kalinga province, a police official said on Saturday.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Senior Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said the rustlers shot Jose Daguio dead – first crime against media people under the Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III administration – because they suspected he was snitching on them. [See: NUJP to monitor first media killing under Aquino admin]

"Sila ang bumaril kay Mr. Daguio sa Tabuk. Itong mga taong ito ay kilalang cattle rustlers. Pinaghihinalaan nila na inginunguso sila ni Mr. Daguio (They shot Daguio in Tabuk. The suspects are known cattle rustlers. They suspected Daguio snitched on them)," Cruz said in an interview on dzAR radio.

But he did not give further details on the suspects. He also did not elaborate if Daguio was reporting on cattle rustling to media.

He would only say the case was "solved" and that they had filed the proper charges.

"Na-solve na natin, na-file na natin ng demanda (We solved the case, we filed the necessary charges)," he said.

Daguio, 75, was shot at close range with a 12-gauge shotgun inside his house in Barangay Tuga last July 3.

Earlier this week, the PNP said its initial investigation showed Daguio was involved in a public works project of the Tuga waterworks system.

At the time of his death, Daguio was not connected with any recognized publication or media outfit, the PNP noted. — LBG